BEIJING: China announced on Friday ( Sep 20 ) that it would “gradually resume” importing seafood from Japan after enforcing a blanket ban in August of last year over the release of water from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant.
According to a statement from the foreign government,” China will begin adjusting the appropriate steps based on scientific evidence and gradually begin imports of Chinese underwater products that meet the regulatory requirements and standards.”
Chinese and Japanese representatives recently conducted “multiple shells of consultations” regarding the transfer of liquid from the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station, according to the government.
It stated that Japan was committed to “fulfilling its obligations under international law, making every effort to prevent ( a ) negative effects on human health and the environment and conducting ongoing evaluations of the impact on the marine environment and marine ecosystems.”
In a move it claims is safe, and the United Nations nuclear organization supports it, Japan started leaking treated polluted water from the Fukushima plant into the Pacific Ocean in late August 2023.
The launch, however, generated a furious reaction from China, which branded it” greedy” and banned all Chinese seafood exports.