Residents of Okinawa, Japan said they had felt the impact of escalating China-Japan tensions, following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan in recent weeks.

The waters of Okinawa have long supported the island's fishermen. Seafood exports to China alone account for 15 percent of Okinawa's total exports. But now, many people in the industry have said politics could put their livelihoods at risk.