China to gradually resume seafood imports from Japan following Fukushima dispute

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China announced it will gradually resume importing seafood from Japan after reaching an agreement ensuring the safety of water released from the Fukushima nuclear plant. This decision follows a year-long ban imposed by China in response to concerns over radioactive contamination. The water, used to cool nuclear reactors damaged in the 2011 tsunami, was released by Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) in August 2023.

Japan, backed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), maintained the release was safe, accusing China of spreading unfounded claims. China, however, labeled the discharge a “nuclear safety issue” and imposed the ban, with Russia following suit.

On Friday, both countries confirmed that a consensus was reached, leading to China’s decision to resume imports based on scientific evidence. Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida emphasized ongoing monitoring to ensure safety standards are met. The IAEA pledged to coordinate with Japan and China to implement safety measures effectively.

The dispute had fueled tensions between the two nations, but despite this, China remains a significant importer of Japanese seafood, purchasing more than $500 million worth in 2022.