China closer to resuming Japanese seafood imports

The Chinese government has agreed on the technical requirements for resuming seafood imports from Japan, according to the Japanese government. ”Seafood is an important export item for Japan and a resumption of its export to China is a major milestone," Japan Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said, according to the Associated Press.

China’s ban was implemented in August 2023 after Japanese authorities approved the release of treated wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into Japan’s waters. Although the International Atomic Energy Agency determined that the plan would cause negligible impact on the environment or health, multiple neighboring governments announced that they would ban Japanese seafood imports – at least in part.

Japan’s government has fought the seafood bans on multiple fronts: filing complaints at the international level, providing financial support to its seafood sector, and engaging in high level negotiations to have the bans removed.

In September, the respective governments of Japan and China announced that the ban would end – eventually. Since then, Japan has used multiple high level meetings to pressure China to finally drop the ban. In a 30 May statement, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the two governments reached an agreement on the technical requirements for resuming seafood exports to China.

“Going forward, after the Chinese side takes the necessary procedures, the resumption of exports is expected,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.