China Ends Two-Year Ban on Japanese Seafood Imports
Japan has officially resumed seafood exports to China for the first time in two years after Beijing lifted its ban linked to the Fukushima wastewater discharge controversy.
According to Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, the first shipment — 6.6 tonnes of scallops from Hokkaido — was sent to China on Wednesday, marking the reopening of one of Japan’s most valuable seafood markets.
“The government welcomes this as a positive development,” Kihara told reporters in Tokyo on Friday. “We will continue discussions with China to normalize all food exports.”
Background: Fukushima Wastewater and the 2023 Seafood Ban
The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, located on Japan’s northeast coast, suffered three reactor meltdowns in March 2011 after a massive earthquake and tsunami devastated the region.
The disaster released large quantities of radioactive wastewater, which had to be stored in tanks for years as Japan’s nuclear engineers worked to treat and decontaminate it.
In August 2023, Japan began gradually releasing treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean, following approval from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) — which verified that radiation levels were within international safety limits.
However, China strongly opposed the move, accusing Tokyo of “dumping nuclear-contaminated water” into the ocean and imposing a blanket ban on all Japanese seafood imports.
Economic Fallout: Billions Lost in Seafood Exports
The Chinese import ban dealt a severe blow to Japan’s fishing and aquaculture sectors, particularly to scallop, sea cucumber, and shellfish producers in northern regions like Hokkaido and Aomori.
Before the ban, China was Japan’s largest seafood export market, purchasing more than $800 million worth of seafood annually.
Thousands of Japanese fishermen and seafood processors faced financial losses, with some forced to seek alternative buyers in Southeast Asia and Europe.
“For two years, our scallops sat unsold, even as we proved they were safe,” said Hiroshi Tanaka, a seafood cooperative head in Hokkaido. “This resumption finally gives hope to our industry again.”
Negotiations and Safety Agreements
The breakthrough came after months of diplomatic negotiations between Tokyo and Beijing, supported by IAEA experts and regional trade partners.
As part of the agreement, Japan has pledged to tighten inspection standards for all seafood destined for China. Each shipment must now include:
- 📋 Radiation inspection certificates
- 🧪 Proof of registration with China’s customs authorities
- 📦 Traceability documentation identifying catch origin
Beijing, meanwhile, will maintain restrictions on seafood from Fukushima and nine surrounding prefectures, pending additional verification of long-term safety.
Environmental and Political Context
Japan’s decision to release treated wastewater sparked intense regional debate, with South Korea, Taiwan, and Pacific Island nations expressing concern over potential environmental impacts.
The Japanese government and IAEA maintain that the water, filtered through the ALPS (Advanced Liquid Processing System), meets global safety standards and poses no threat to human health or marine ecosystems.
Nevertheless, environmental groups in both Japan and China continue to protest the discharge, calling for independent, long-term environmental monitoring of the Pacific Ocean.
“The issue is not just scientific — it’s about public trust,” said Dr. Naomi Ishikawa, a marine biologist at Kyoto University. “Transparency is crucial for rebuilding confidence in Japanese seafood.”
China’s Gradual Return to Trade Normalization
China’s decision to lift the seafood ban in June 2025 was viewed as a symbolic thaw in bilateral relations. Both countries have since expressed willingness to expand trade cooperation in areas such as energy transition, maritime safety, and agriculture.
Still, Beijing continues to restrict imports of seafood and agricultural products from Fukushima Prefecture and nearby areas.
Kihara confirmed that Japan will keep urging China to fully lift remaining restrictions and resume Japanese beef imports, which have been banned since the 2001 outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease).
Japan’s Seafood Exports Poised for Recovery
Industry analysts predict that the resumption of seafood exports to China will revive Japan’s fishing economy, which has suffered from both the pandemic and post-Fukushima stigma.
The Hokkaido scallop industry, in particular, is expected to rebound quickly as Chinese demand for high-quality seafood remains strong.
Exporters are also eyeing new digital traceability platforms to reassure consumers about product safety and environmental responsibility.
“We believe this marks the beginning of a new era of cooperation,” said Kenji Morimoto, an official at Japan’s Fisheries Agency. “Japanese seafood remains among the safest and most delicious in the world.”
Looking Ahead: Trust, Transparency, and Trade
As shipments resume, experts emphasize that scientific transparency and trust-building will be key to sustaining long-term trade relations.
The Fukushima water discharge remains one of the most controversial environmental issues in East Asia, but this diplomatic breakthrough shows that science-backed dialogue can overcome fear and misinformation.
Japan’s renewed seafood exports to China serve as both an economic lifeline for coastal communities and a symbolic step toward post-disaster recovery — more than a decade after the tsunami that changed the nation forever.
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