China Eases Ban on Japanese Seafood

China has announced a partial lifting of its ban on seafood imports from Japan, a restriction that was implemented two years ago in response to concerns over the release of treated waste water from the Fukushima nuclear plant. The Chinese General Administration of Customs stated on June 29 that it will 'conditionally resume' imports from most Japanese regions, excluding 10 of the country's 47 prefectures, including Tokyo and Fukushima.

The decision comes after long-term monitoring of nuclear-contaminated water from Fukushima reportedly showed no abnormalities. This move is significant given that China was previously Japan's largest seafood buyer, accounting for nearly a quarter of its exports before the ban was imposed.

The 2011 tsunami that led to the Fukushima nuclear disaster continues to have far-reaching consequences. Japan began discharging treated waste water into the ocean in 2023, a process expected to take up to 30 years. While this action is supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency and most experts deem it safe, some scientists argue that more research is needed on its potential oceanic impact.

Japan has welcomed China's decision as a 'positive' step, though it continues to advocate for the acceptance of seafood imports from all its regions. The partial lifting of the ban is seen as a potential thaw in the often tense relationship between these key trading partners, which has been strained by historical and territorial disputes.