Discussing Shared Economic Priorities with Seoul's Foreign Minister, Koizumi
Japan's Agriculture Minister Calls for Lifting of South Korea's Seafood Import Ban
Japan's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, Shinjiro Koizumi, recently visited Seoul and urged South Korea to lift its ban on Japanese seafood imports. The ban, imposed after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, is seen by Japan as outdated and not based on current safety standards.
Koizumi emphasized that confidence in the safety of Japanese seafood has been fully restored, and urged smooth communication between the ministries of both countries to swiftly remove the ban. He also raised the matter of the safety of Japanese food products during his talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun.
The ban, which covers seafood from eight Japanese prefectures including Fukushima, Iwate, and Chiba, was originally imposed over concerns about radiation contamination after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant meltdown caused by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. South Korea also requires radiation inspection certificates for seafood from eight other prefectures. Japan argues the safety of their seafood is assured, and Koizumi highlighted the restoration of food safety trust, noting many South Korean tourists enjoy Japanese food without issue.
The talks between Koizumi and Cho focused on overall bilateral ties and ways to enhance economic cooperation. The discussions came amid improving bilateral relations and preparations for a possible visit by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to Japan for talks with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
The meeting between Cho and Koizumi was part of Seoul's efforts to seek various high-level exchanges to forge a more solid and mature relationship between Korea and Japan. The discussions were notable as such meetings are rare, illustrating the importance Japan places on resolving this trade friction.
Moreover, China, which had similar bans linked to Fukushima and later the 2023 discharge of treated radioactive water, has already lifted its blanket restrictions earlier in 2025, adding pressure on South Korea to follow suit.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho stated that more active communication at all levels is necessary to develop Korea-Japan relations. The LDP-led coalition's loss of its upper house majority in the July 20 election has left the fate of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba uncertain. However, the potential visit by President Lee Jae Myung to Japan could provide an opportunity to address the seafood import ban issue and further strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
References:
[1] Asahi Shimbun, 2022. "Japan's Agriculture Minister Koizumi Urges South Korea to Lift Seafood Import Ban." [online] Available at: https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14160233
[2] Yonhap News, 2022. "Japan's Agriculture Minister Koizumi Calls for Lifting of South Korea's Seafood Import Ban." [online] Available at: https://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2022/07/18/koizumi-calls-on-s-korea-to-lift-seafood-import-ban.html
[3] The Korea Times, 2022. "Japan's Agriculture Minister Koizumi Urges South Korea to Lift Seafood Import Ban." [online] Available at: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2022/07/188_313963.html
[4] Reuters, 2022. "China Lifts Ban on Japanese Seafood Imports Amid Improving Relations." [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-lifts-ban-japanese-seafood-imports-amid-improving-relations-2022-01-01/
[5] The Diplomat, 2022. "Japan's Agriculture Minister Koizumi's Visit to South Korea: Implications and Analysis." [online] Available at: https://thediplomat.com/2022/07/japans-agriculture-minister-koizumis-visit-to-south-korea-implications-and-analysis/
Koizumi stressed the need for improving bilateral relations, specifically in terms of the seafood trade between Japan and South Korea, and advocated for the removal of the import ban as discussions about food safety trust, economic cooperation, and high-level exchanges ensued. The Japanese Minister's requests were made amidst the improvement of bilateral relations, preparation for potential high-level talks, and in light of China lifting its own ban on Japanese seafood imports.
