Companies across Japan reported so many calls from Chinese speakers that they had difficulty operating

Japan has urged its citizens in China to avoid using their native tongue in loud voices, while its companies have received a wave of abusive calls amid a rise in anti-Japanese sentiment sparked by the controversial discharge of wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

While Japan insists the treated water is safe – a view backed by the UN’s nuclear watchdog – China has staunchly opposed the discharge, which began last week, and banned all Japanese seafood imports. Beijing has called the decision to release the water “selfish” and harmful to the environment and human health.