China may ban Japanese seafood after Fukushima radioactive water dump

Japanese authorities are concerned that the China, the largest exporter of seafood, to suspend purchases of these items after the release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, which has been shut down and is located near the sea.

Japan worries about talks with China after release of radioactive water

(Image: AFP)

The nuclear regulatory body of the UN this week granted Japan authorization to start dumping more than a million metric tons of treated radioactive water, enough to fill 500 Olympic swimming pools.

This water was used to cool fuel rods at the Fukushima plant after it was destroyed by a tsunami in 2011.

Despite Japanese assurances that the water has been filtered to remove most isotopes and is safe, the planned release has faced opposition both at home and abroad.

China, which was the biggest buyer of Japanese seafood exports last year, is a of countries imposing restrictions on imports from some Japanese regions due to the accident nuclear.

Furthermore, China is the most vocal critic of Japan's planned release of the water, arguing that it threatens marine life and human health.

While China has not specified what steps it will take if the release takes place, it has warned Japan that it must "assume all consequences" of its actions.

The water release is expected to begin in the coming weeks and is expected to take up to 40 years to complete.

Three Japanese government officials and a ruling party lawmaker, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, expressed concern that China may expand restrictions on seafood Japanese. Two of the officials mentioned the possibility of a blanket ban.

While imports of Japanese marine products represent a small share of the Chinese market, they are significant for Japan, which considers China to be an important market.

China, Japan's biggest buyer

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday that the Japan has not fully consulted the international community on the water release and that China will pay close attention to developments and assess any possible effects to protect the consumers.

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to comment on the possibility of further restrictions, but stated that the country has pursued scientific discussions with China on releasing the water and will continue to do it.

China bans seafood imports from 10 of Japan's 47 prefectures, including Fukushima and the capital Tokyo, as well as restricting all food and feed imports from nine of them.

In other provinces, the importation of seafood is allowed, but the products must be tested for radioactivity.

Although most seafood caught by the Japanese fishing industry is consumed domestically, the China was the biggest buyer of Japanese exports last year in terms of value, despite restrictions.

China accounted for 22.5% of Japan's seafood exports, totaling 87 billion yen ($604 million), followed by Hong Kong at 19.5% and the United States at 13.9%.

Last Tuesday (4), the city of Hong Kong, which is governed by China, announced that it will take immediate control measures, including restrictions on the importation of aquatic products from provinces considered to be high risk, when Japan starts to release the water. China has said it will step up surveillance of oceans and marine products after the launch.

In South Korea, where consumers buy sea salt and other products, there was also a promise to stepping up vigilance to allay concerns, but did not threaten to expand product restrictions Japanese.

In addition to local government pressure, some Chinese consumers have called for boycotts of Japanese products, a trend that briefly affected the stock price of Japanese cosmetics maker Shiseido (4911.T) last week on the networks social.

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