Title: China Continues Ban on Japanese Food Imports Over Fukushima Water Release Plan
Published: 1 hour ago
Image: Fukushima nuclear plant in February 2021
China has announced that it will maintain a ban on some Japanese food imports in response to Japan’s plan to release water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean. Additionally, China’s customs administration revealed that it will implement radiation tests on food from other parts of the country. South Korea has also decided to maintain a similar ban, although it believes that the proposed release meets international standards.
The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog recently declared that the plan to release the water would have a “negligible impact” on the environment. Furthermore, Japan’s nuclear regulator has given its approval to proceed.
The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant suffered severe damage in 2011 when a magnitude 9.0 earthquake triggered a devastating tsunami that flooded three of its reactors. This disaster stands as the world’s worst nuclear catastrophe since the infamous Chernobyl incident. Thousands of individuals, exceeding 150,000, were evacuated from the surrounding exclusion zone, which remains in place to this day. The process of decommissioning the plant has gradually commenced but could potentially take several decades to complete.
Meanwhile, news agency Reuters reports that an enormous volume of water equivalent to roughly 500 Olympic-sized swimming pools has accumulated at the nuclear facility. Storage space is running out, prompting the Japanese government and the plant’s operator, Tepco, to initiate plans to release the water into the sea. However, criticism has emerged from various regions, with China being particularly vehement in its opposition.
China’s customs authority stated, “China Customs will maintain a high level of vigilance,” indicating that the ban on Japanese food imports will persist. Japan’s foreign ministry mentioned that it was contemplating possible measures in response to China’s actions.
China has previously condemned Japan’s plan, accusing the nation of treating the ocean as its “private sewer.” In contrast, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, expressed complete confidence in the IAEA’s assessment of Japan’s proposal. Grossi emphasized that the organization was impartial and based its findings on scientific evidence.
South Korea, which has also been critical of the plan, has decided to continue its ban on seafood imports from Fukushima and some other Japanese prefectures.
Furthermore, local fishing communities in Japan have expressed concerns regarding the potential impacts on their livelihoods due to the water release plan.
As the debate continues, concerns surrounding the environmental and health implications of releasing the water persist. The issue remains a highly contentious and complex matter that requires careful consideration and consultation among all relevant stakeholders.