TOKYO, May 30 (Kyodo/APP): Japan’s government said Friday that China has agreed to begin procedures to resume imports of Japanese seafood, lifting a ban imposed after the release of treated radioactive wastewater from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea.
Chinese authorities are expected to issue a public notice easing the blanket ban that has been in place since August 2023 and soon open registration for Japanese facilities that process and preserve marine products, sources familiar with the matter said.
The two nations have agreed on “technical requirements for the resumption of seafood exports” to China, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a meeting of related ministers, part of which was open to the media.
Chinese customs authorities said “substantial progress” had been made in technical talks with Japan on the seafood imports, held in Beijing on Wednesday, but did not provide details regarding the outcome.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a press conference that Japan promised to take “credible and visible measures to guarantee the quality and safety” of aquatic products.
Beijing will study Tokyo’s request to resume the export of Japanese seafood items to China in accordance with the principles of science and safety, relevant domestic laws and regulations and international trade rules, he added.