Fri Sep 20 12:19:24 UTC 2024: ## China to Resume Seafood Imports from Japan After Fukushima Water Release Deal
**BEIJING, CHINA** – After a year-long ban, China has announced it will gradually resume imports of seafood from Japan following a deal that addresses concerns about the release of treated radioactive water from the disabled Fukushima nuclear plant.
China had previously called the release of the water a “major nuclear safety issue with cross-border implications,” and imposed a ban on seafood imports in August 2023. This came after the operator of the Fukushima plant, Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO), began releasing treated water into the Pacific Ocean. The water was used to cool the plant’s reactors following the devastating 2011 tsunami.
Despite Japan’s insistence that the water release was safe and supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), China expressed deep concerns about potential radioactive contamination.
However, following “multiple rounds of consultations,” both countries reached a consensus on the release of the water in August. China has now confirmed it will “gradually resume imports of Japanese aquatic products that meet the regulation requirements and standards.”
Japan has also agreed to “carry out additional monitoring of the treated water” and ensure imported fishery products “meet certain standards,” according to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
The IAEA, which has been monitoring the situation, has pledged to coordinate with Japan and other stakeholders, including China, to ensure the safety measures are implemented properly.
The agreement marks a significant step towards resolving a major point of contention between the two countries. While the wastewater release sparked significant tension alongside other disputes like trade and territorial issues, China and Japan remain major trading partners. China imported over $500 million worth of seafood from Japan in 2022, according to AFP.
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