Japan Requests Lifting of Japanese Food Import Restrictions by Korea and China

Nomura Tetsuro Appointed Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
EU Expected to Lift Import Restrictions on Japanese Food Products Next Month

The Japanese government announced on the 30th that it will request the lifting of import restrictions on Japanese food products in South Korea and China.

Nomura Tetsuro, Japan's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, said at a press conference on the same day, "On the 3rd of next month, I will hold talks with the European Union (EU) Commissioner for Agriculture and request the removal of import restrictions."

Earlier, local Japanese media reported that the EU is considering lifting import restrictions on Japanese food products imposed after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident. Minister Tetsuro said, "I am aware of positive movements."

In this regard, it is reported that Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will address this issue as an agenda item at the Japan-EU summit to be held in Brussels, Belgium, on the 13th of next month. The EU Commission is expected to officially announce the lifting of import restrictions at the end of next month after obtaining the consent of member states.

Kyodo News stated, "Import restrictions, which once extended to 55 countries and regions, are being gradually eased," and added, "The Japanese government will focus on consultations with China and South Korea, which currently maintain restrictions."

Matsuno Hirokazu, Chief Cabinet Secretary and spokesperson for the Japanese government, also indicated that Japan will request the lifting of restrictions in South Korea.

At a press conference on the same day, in response to questions about Japan's response to the restrictions imposed by South Korea and China, he emphasized, "Japan will continue to politely explain that all food products distributed domestically and internationally have secured scientific safety through strict safety measures," and "We will strongly demand the early lifting of restrictions."

However, the South Korean government maintains the position that imports of seafood from Fukushima are an area that cannot be compromised due to public health and safety concerns.

The Japanese government is expected to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean this summer. If the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has been verifying Japan's plan for ocean discharge of contaminated water, does not point out any significant issues in its final report to be released next week, preparations for the discharge will effectively be completed.

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