A major diplomatic breakthrough has occurred when Japan and China have come to an understanding over their differences regarding the discharge of treated radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean from Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power facility. China’s embargo on Japanese seafood, imposed in the wake of the wastewater leak, has also been lifted by this agreement. On Friday, Fumio Kishida, the prime minister of Japan, reaffirmed the deal, saying that both countries had reached “a certain level of mutual understanding.”
China had previously imposed a ban on Japanese seafood imports following the start of treated water discharges from the Fukushima plant on August 24, 2023. Beijing argued that the release of the radioactive water posed a threat to its fishing industry and coastal communities. In response, the ban impacted Japan’s seafood exports, with significant repercussions for businesses reliant on the Chinese market.
Despite the agreement, there has been no immediate indication from Chinese officials on when the seafood import ban will be fully lifted or when the next monitoring inspection will take place.
As part of the agreement, China has committed to working towards lifting its ban on Japanese seafood imports. In addition, Beijing will participate in an enhanced monitoring system for the water discharges from Fukushima, operating under the supervision of the United Nations’ atomic agency. Kishida expressed optimism that Chinese imports of Japanese seafood would resume gradually, in line with the same safety standards applied to other countries’ products. He noted, “Naturally, our understanding is that China will steadily resume the imports of Japanese marine products.”
Prime Minister Kishida emphasized that Japan’s handling of the water discharge has adhered to stringent international safety standards, urging for the immediate lifting of China’s ban. “The safety of the Japanese water discharges has been proven,” he reiterated, stressing that Japan would continue to demand an end to what it deems an unscientific embargo.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, however, highlighted that the issue involves both scientific and political dimensions. Mao said, “The bilateral consensus of China and Japan lays a foundation for the international community to handle the nuclear-contaminated water scientifically, effectively and safely.”
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Source: CNN
