China imposes de facto ban on Japanese seafood imports amid anger over Fukushima water release plan

Faced with mounting concerns over the safety of edible imports from Japan, mainland China has vowed to take “all necessary measures” to abate the worries of its consumers.

This includes extending a ban on imports from 10 Japanese prefectures, including Fukushima, while also deciding to fully screen all shipments from other regions, instead of just spot checking, amid concerns of residual nuclear contamination.

Mainland China’s General Administration of Customs said the plan to discharge the water from the 2011 nuclear disaster “failed to fully reflect expert opinions” and that it will take “all necessary measures” to ensure the safety of Chinese consumers.

Food from other parts of Japan, especially edible aquatic products, will also receive “strictly 100 per cent” screening of their certification documents and be inspected.

“Since the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, China’s customs have attached great importance to the issue of radioactive contamination of Japanese food imported to China. It has closely monitored the relevant measures taken by the Japanese government, continued to assess the risk and responded promptly,” the customs agency said on Friday.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Friday also said Hong Kong would consider banning seafood and agricultural products from “high-risk regions” in Japan.

“For food imports from other areas, we will strengthen monitoring to ensure food safety,” he added during a visit to Guiyang, Guizhou province.