Japan: "With RCEP in Effect... South Korea Must Remove 'Food Import Regulations'"

Demand to Lift Food Import Restrictions Aligned with Agreement Effective on the 1st

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] The Japanese government claimed that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has come into effect in South Korea as well, and argued that the South Korean government's import restrictions on Japanese food products should be lifted. They stated that the regulations imposed after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant explosion following the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 need to be removed.

Matsuno Hirokazu, Chief Cabinet Secretary and spokesperson for the Japanese government, said at a regular press conference on the afternoon of the 1st, "The RCEP, which came into effect earlier this year in January among 10 countries including Japan, has now come into effect in South Korea as of today," adding, "We expect it to contribute to the economic growth of our country (Japan) and the region."

He continued, "Lifting import restrictions on Japanese food products is one of the most important tasks," and added, "We will continue to strongly demand the early removal of import restrictions applied by South Korea on Japanese food products following the Great East Japan Earthquake."

He explained that even now, based on scientific evidence, they are explaining the safety of Japanese food products and demanding the South Korean government to lift the restrictions promptly.

Fifty-five countries and regions worldwide imposed import restrictions on Japanese food products centered around Fukushima due to concerns about radioactive contamination following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant explosion caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011. Currently, 13 countries and regions, including South Korea and China, maintain these restrictions. The RCEP includes 10 ASEAN countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, as well as five non-ASEAN countries including South Korea, China, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.