China has agreed to resume the import of Japanese seafood

In a significant move, China has agreed to resume the import of Japanese seafood, ending a two-year ban that was put in place due to concerns about radioactivity from the wastewater discharged by the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The decision came after a meeting in Beijing on Wednesday where Japan's Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced the deal.

The agreement is contingent upon China completing "necessary procedures," which remain unspecified.

The resumption of seafood exports to China will be facilitated by Japan's commitment to adhere to strict guidelines, including registering fishery processing facilities with Chinese authorities and ensuring the products undergo rigorous inspection and certification to confirm the absence of radioactive substances like caesium-137. China is expected to officially announce the resumption of exports from areas outside Fukushima soon.

The initial ban was a result of China's concerns regarding the potential impact of the released wastewater on fishing industries and coastal communities, despite Japan's assurances that the discharges met international safety standards and were being monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) according to Midhat Fatima reports. The Fukushima Daiichi plant has been releasing treated wastewater into the ocean since 2023 following the devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011 that caused meltdowns in three of its reactors and the accumulation of large volumes of radioactive water.

The lifting of the ban is a positive development in the bilateral relationship between China and Japan, which has faced various challenges in recent years, including territorial disputes and historical grievances. The agreement could signal a willingness from China to engage more cooperatively on international environmental issues and trade matters, particularly as the Fukushima disaster's long-term effects continue to be managed and monitored by the global community. For Japan, this could provide a boost to its fisheries exports and overall trade relations with its neighbor.