China to resume Japanese seafood imports following suspension due to Fukushima water release concerns
China to Resume Import of Japanese Seafood Following Agreement
TOKYO — China will reinstate Japanese seafood imports, which it suspended in 2023 due to concerns about the release of treated but slightly radioactive wastewater from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, according to a Japanese official. The announcement was made on Friday.
This development marks a significant political and diplomatic milestone between the wary Asian powers. Japanese Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi disclosed the agreement following discussions between the two countries' officials in Beijing. The imports will commence once the necessary documentation is in place.
"Seafood is an essential export for Japan, and the resumption of exports to China is a significant achievement," Koizumi said.
Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya also welcomed the move, stating, "This step could foster China-Japan relationship by addressing a range of unresolved issues between the two countries, such as territorial disputes, trade differences, and wartime history."
While the ban on farm and fisheries products from ten Japanese prefectures, including Fukushima, remains in effect, officials are pushing to lift these restrictions.
The General Administration of Customs in China reported a "substantial progress" in a round of technical talks on the safety issues of Japanese aquatic products but did not mention an agreement. China stopped imports of Japanese seafood due to fears of potential risks to the fishing industry and coastal communities in eastern China.
Japanese officials argue that the wastewater discharge is necessary to make room for the decommissioning of the nuclear plant and to prevent accidental leaks. They maintain that the treatment and dilution will make the wastewater safer than international standards and its environmental impact will be minimal.
The agreement is based on both nations' shared commitment for China to progressively relax the import ban by joining international organizations monitoring wastewater discharges, such as the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency.
After three rounds of consultations since March, Tokyo and Beijing have reached an accord on the technical requirements necessary for the resumption of Japanese seafood exports to China. The resumption's timeline, however, remains unclear.
The March 2011 nuclear meltdowns followed an earthquake and tsunami. The plant's three reactors melted down, causing large amounts of radioactive water to accumulate in their basements. The wastewater was diluted with seawater to decrease radioactivity before being discharged in August 2023.
Public protests occurred both inside and outside Japan when the initial wastewater release was announced, with concerns about the potential damage to the reputation of Japanese seafood. Chinese and South Korean groups also raised concerns. China was Japan's biggest foreign market for seafood until the ban, accounting for more than one-fifth of its seafood exports.
Japanese fishing groups, as well as the Japanese government, have established an emergency relief fund for exporters and explored alternative overseas markets. Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings has pledged to compensate affected Japanese business owners for their losses due to export restrictions.
- The resumption of Japanese seafood exports to China signifies a promising development in the realm of general news, demonstrating progress in both politics and business.
2.In Seattle, at the headquarters of Microsoft, the announcement of this agreement between China and Japan has likely incited discussions, given the company's extensive business operations in both countries and its keen interest in the environment.
- Meanwhile, in the world of crime and justice, concerns remain about potential smuggling of untreated radioactive wastewater, given the controversy and public outcry that surrounded its initial release.
- Amidst these developments, the environment remains a key area of focus, with the agreement between China and Japan being contingent upon their shared commitment to adhere to international standards for wastewater discharges, as monitored by organizations like the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency.
