&w=3840&q=100)
China to resume seafood imports halted over Fukushima discharge, says Japan
China will resume Japanese seafood imports that it banned in 2023 over worries about Japan's discharge of wastewater from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea, a Japanese official said Friday.
The issue has been a significant political and diplomatic point of tension for the wary Asian powers.
Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said the two sides reached an agreement after Japanese and Chinese officials met in Beijing and the imports will resume once the necessary paperwork is done.
China did not immediately comment. China blocked imports of Japanese seafood because it said the release would endanger the fishing industry and coastal communities in eastern China.
Japanese officials have said the wastewater must be released to make room for the nuclear plant's decommissioning and to prevent accidental leaks. They say the treatment and dilution will make the wastewater safer than international standards and its environmental impact will be negligible.
Friday's announcement is based on an agreement between the two nations that Beijing would take steps toward ending the ban by joining water sampling missions by the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency.
The March 2011 nuclear meltdowns followed an earthquake and tsunami. There were meltdowns in the plant's three reactors, causing large amounts of radioactive water to accumulate. The water release has been a milestone for the plant's battle with an ever-growing radioactive water stockpile that officials say has hampered the daunting task of removing fatally toxic melted debris from the reactors.
The wastewater was treated and heavily diluted to reduce the radioactivity as much as possible before Japan began discharging the wastewater in August 2023.
Last September, then-Prime Minster Fumio Kishida said the two sides reached a certain level of mutual understanding that China would start working toward easing the import ban and join the IAEA expanded monitoring of wastewater discharges.
People inside and outside Japan protested the initial wastewater release. Japanese fishing groups said they feared it would further damage the reputation of their seafood. Groups in China and South Korea also raised concerns.
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings has said the utility would compensate Japanese business owners appropriately for damages suffered by export bans.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
18 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
China says US 'should not play with fire' on Taiwan, slams Hegseth's remarks
BEIJING: China on Sunday warned the United States it "should not play with fire" over Taiwan and said it had lodged "representations" with Washington over comments made by Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth at a summit in Singapore. The US secretary of defence used his speech at an annual security forum on Saturday to warn that China was "credibly preparing" to use military force to upend the balance of power in Asia. He added that the Chinese military was building the capabilities to invade Taiwan and "rehearsing for the real deal." In a statement released just after midnight, China's foreign ministry said it had "lodged solemn representations with the US side" over Hegseth's comments, adding that it "strongly deplores" his remarks. "The US should not try to use the Taiwan issue as a bargaining chip to contain China and should not play with fire," it said. Beijing, which did not send its defence minister Dong Jun to the Singapore summit, called the "Taiwan issue" China's "internal affair" and said foreign countries had no right to interfere. China considers the self-ruled democratic island as its territory and has not ruled out using force to take control of it. Hegseth also accused Beijing of "illegally seizing and militarising lands" in the disputed South China Sea. Beijing claims almost the entire waterway, despite an international ruling that its assertion has no merit. The foreign ministry on Sunday claimed there had "never been any issue" with navigation in the waterway. China "is committed to safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in accordance with the law", a ministry spokesperson said. Beijing also accused the United States of turning the Indo-Pacific region into a "powder keg" by deploying weapons in the South China Sea.
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
Retired Lt Colonel and another man duped of 60 lakh in investment and banking scams
New Delhi: Two men, including a retired Lieutenant Colonel, were duped of Rs 60 lakh in two separate cases. Police arrested three suspects, and in one of the cases, the accused were found to be in contact with Chinese nationals. In the first case, a retired Lieutenant Colonel was duped of Rs 45 lakh under the pretext of an investment opportunity. Police arrested two men with alleged links to Chinese nationals. The accused were identified as Rahim Khan (24) and Indra Kumar Sahani (36). "Sahani was arrested in Ahmedabad, and based on his information, the other accused was apprehended," police added. The complainant informed the police that he was introduced to an online digital gold trading website by someone on WhatsApp. "Initially, the money was deposited into various bank accounts provided by the fraudsters. It was then converted into US dollars at a fixed rate of Rs 80 per dollar. The equivalent amount was shown credited to his account on the alleged trading website and used for trading," police said. The complainant continued trading, and his purported profits grew to Rs 1 crore. However, when he attempted to withdraw some of the profits, he realised he had been deceived. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo DCP (Southwest) Surendra Choudhary stated that Indra Kumar Sahani initially opened a bank account and provided it to the accused. After seeing the profits, he opened nine more current accounts, which he sold for a commission. He then handed over his account to co-accused Rahim Khan, who facilitated and managed mule account holders in Ahmedabad. Khan also contacted international operators via an app. "He was in contact with Chinese nationals through a social media application," police said. The accused reportedly received their commission in USDT from these Chinese nationals.
Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
Why we go bonkers for fancy brands – even when it makes no sense
Juliet's famous lament - 'What's in a name?' - questioning the value placed on names and lineage, found new relevance recently. Social media posts from Chinese manufacturers showcasing the production of high-end luxury goods in their factories - and urging consumers to buy directly from them, although without the brand label - once again highlighted the powerful psychological grip brands hold over us. Perceived value has been alluring to humans for as long as the species has existed. Things are coveted for the single and simple reason that they are coveted by others. Possession of such items gives one pleasure because of the thought that others now think they have reached some standing. Earlier, this covetousness was limited to precious metals and stones. This has now extended to brands. The dictionary defines a brand as 'a type of product made by a particular company and sold under a particular name'. This simple definition, however, only encapsulates the making and the selling - it does not touch the psychological dimension of emotions that a 'brand' generates for the brand's owners, and for those who want to be owners. For example, a wristwatch is not an object needed to tell time anymore. It is used to signal that one has arrived. If one brand signals status, then two must signal a higher one? Except if they are on the same product. I recently came across a real example. I saw a Maruti Omni mini-van sporting a Toyota logo - quite a jarring sight. It took me back to my school days in Pune, where on a 'Chor Bazaar' street in the cantonment area, you could find shoes bearing a Nike logo on one side and Adidas on the other. Now imagine a BMW with Jaguar's leaping cat gracing the hood, or a Louis Vuitton bag adorned with Chanel's interlocked area where dual brands don't cause cognitive confusion is academia. There are joint programmes offered by universities, and one can imagine a certificate with the logo of two universities. In fact, a degree that has the logo of two high-ranking colleges would be highly sought after. A similar psychological reaction is expected to an endorsement from multiple companies - say, as part of a joint training programme, especially if the entrance criteria are multiple brands don't make sense when they are on the same manufactured product. But they are coveted when they signal learning, or acquisition of complex calculus underlies our interaction with brands. An alien species studying human choices would reach these conclusions for our decision-making rules related to brands:1. Covet what others have and want.2. There's no constraint on items that can be pursued. Only rule 1 should be satisfied. These can be anything from tulip bulbs to colours on paper.3. Sometimes, one's own needs are superseded by Rule #2. 4. Show it off once it is acquired.5. Protect the label more than the product. The item loses its value if the label gets damaged - even if the product is functioning at full efficiency.6. One brand is good, two are super - but not in all instances (see above).6. Sometimes, ownership is not the goal. Acquire now to sell later at a higher value.7. Sometimes, showing off is not the goal. A concealed display is required to protect it. Just knowledge within the community that one owns it, is satisfying.8. Even though brand and label acquisition signals wealth, a direct demonstration of wealth -- such as displaying one's net worth -- is aliens might have to scratch their heads to make a logical framework that accommodates these behaviours. Even if they managed this task, they would be dumbstruck by learning what we think differentiates us from other species - that we consider ourselves rational. The writer is MD, Resonance Laboratories, Bengaluru (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. What's slowing Indian IT's AI deals? The answer is hidden in just two words. Jolt to Çelebi could turn a big gain for this Indian firm that once had deep Turkish ties Nestlé India's outgoing CEO Narayanan weathered the Maggi storm; Tiwary must tackle slowing growth Uncle Sam vs. Microsoft: Which is a safer bet to park money? ONGC squandered its future once. Can it be different this time? Will revised economic capital framework lead to higher RBI dividend to govt? These large- and mid-cap stocks can give more than 30% return in 1 year, according to analysts Buy, Sell or Hold: Emkay Global upgrades SAIL to buy; YES Securities sees 13% upside in VA Tech Wabag Railways stocks: Time to be contrarian; will bearish analysts go wrong again? 6 stocks, 2 with buy recos, 4 with sell recos
