Japan Calls China’s Seafood Ban “Totally Unacceptable,” May File WTO Complaint
TOKYO, Sept 5 (Reuters) – Japan has expressed its strong objection to China’s ban on Japanese seafood following the release of treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant. The Japanese foreign ministry stated on Monday that the ban is “totally unacceptable” and has informed the World Trade Organization (WTO) of its concerns.
China imposed the ban last month, prompting Japan to counterargue by presenting its positions in relevant WTO committees. Japan has urged China to immediately repeal the ban and has signaled its potential to file a WTO complaint. The United States has announced its support for Japan if such a complaint is filed.
Chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno stated that Japan will explain the safety of the released water at upcoming diplomatic forums, including the ASEAN Summit and the G20 Summit held in Indonesia and India, respectively. However, it remains uncertain whether a Japan-China leaders’ meeting will take place. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese Premier Li Qiang are scheduled to attend the ASEAN and G20 summits, while Chinese President Xi Jinping will not be in attendance.
In addition to reaching out to the WTO, Japan has asked China to engage in discussions over the import ban based on the provisions of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade pact.
The ban on Japanese seafood imports has significant implications for Japan’s fishing industry. Although aquatic products account for less than 1% of Japan’s global trade, Japan exported approximately $600 million worth of seafood to China in 2022, making it the largest market for Japanese exports in this sector, followed by Hong Kong.
To mitigate the economic impact of the ban and support the domestic fisheries industry, Japan has announced plans to allocate more than 100 billion yen ($682 million) in funding.
The ongoing dispute between Japan and China underscores the potential consequences of the treated water release from the Fukushima nuclear plant. Japan’s efforts to address concerns about the safety of its seafood exports will be crucial in resolving the issue and ensuring the continued viability of its fishing industry.
($1 = 146.6100 yen)
Reporting by Kantaro Komiya; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Muralikumar Anantharaman