China lifts two-year ban, reopens markets to Japanese seafood
In a major relief for Japan's fisheries industry, China on Sunday lifted its nearly two-year ban and reopened its markets to Japanese seafood.
According to a notice from China's customs agency, the ban has been removed and imports from most parts of Japan will resume, as reported by AP.
The decision marks a significant win for Japan as China is its largest overseas market for seafood, accounting for over one-fifth of total exports.
However, the ban will continue to remain in place for seafood from 10 of Japan's 47 prefectures, including Fukushima and nearby ones.
Japanese seafood exporters will have to reapply for registration in China and all imports will have to include a health certificate, a certificate of compliance for radioactive substance testing and a certificate of origin, the Chinese customs agency said.
The restriction was originally imposed in August 2023, after Japan began releasing treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean, a move backed by the International Atomic Energy Agency and plant operator TEPCO.
TEPCO has faced ongoing challenges with managing contaminated water ever since it stabilised three damaged reactors following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, which knocked out power and cooling systems. To keep the melted uranium fuel rods cool, the company has relied on a temporary setup of pumps and piping to continuously inject water into the reactor vessels.
After years of debate, the utility (TEPCO) received government approval to gradually release the treated water into the ocean. The treatment process removes most radioactive substances, and Japanese officials maintained that the discharge would meet international standards standards, with minimal environmental impact.
However, China strongly opposed the move, arguing that the release posed risks to its fishing industry and coastal communities, and subsequently imposed a ban on Japanese seafood imports.
Japanese fisher groups also opposed the plan out of worry of further damage to the reputation of their seafood.
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