Pressure from Japan to 'Import Fukushima Seafood'... Divergent Solutions from Ruling and Opposition Parties

Currently, Only 5 Countries Including Korea and China Ban Fukushima Imports
"Total Ban on Japanese Imports" vs "Japan Will File a Complaint"

The political sphere is becoming increasingly urgent following the release of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) final report stating that Japan's plan to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant complies with international safety standards.

The ruling party and government reaffirmed their stance to ban the import of seafood from Fukushima in response to public concerns, but the opposition party has decided to consider legislation to ban imports of all Japanese seafood. However, based on the IAEA report, Japan is expected to intensify its public relations campaign to justify the discharge of contaminated water and call for the lifting of import restrictions on Japanese seafood.

A presidential office official stated on the 5th, "We respect the IAEA's announcement," adding, "The government will prioritize the health and safety of our people." This was in response to the IAEA's conclusion the previous day that the safety of the contaminated water treatment process meets international standards.

In its final report, the IAEA stated, "It concluded that Japan's discharge plan complies with international safety standards, and if Tokyo Electric Power Company controls and gradually discharges the contaminated water as planned, the radiological impact on humans and the environment will be minimal."

The IAEA logo displayed on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) building inside the Vienna International Centre (VIC) in Vienna, Austria, on the afternoon of May 9 (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

However, public concerns about importing Japanese seafood remain strong amid the discharge of contaminated water. Currently, since the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, a measure banning the import of seafood from eight prefectures near Fukushima has been in effect since 2013.

The Democratic Party pointed out the lack of credibility, citing the phrase "does not take responsibility" inserted in the IAEA report, and decided to consider legislation to expand the seafood import ban to all of Japan if Japan discharges contaminated water without the consent of neighboring countries.

Jang Kyung-tae, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, appeared on KBS Radio's "Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs" on the 6th and said, "The review of discharge safety is not their responsibility but the Japanese government's responsibility," adding, "In conclusion, the report clearly states Japan's responsibility and its limitations, so it should not be misrepresented as if the safety has been verified."

Japan's public relations campaign to lift the seafood import ban is expected to intensify following the IAEA report.

Japan's government spokesperson, Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu, said at a press conference on the 4th, "We will maintain high transparency regarding the safety of the treated water's ocean discharge and strive to deepen international understanding based on scientific evidence," adding, "Lifting import restrictions on Japanese food following the Great East Japan Earthquake remains an important government task, and we will respond appropriately through inter-ministerial cooperation."

Immediately after the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, 55 countries and regions regulated imports of agricultural and marine products from Fukushima, but as Japan's demands for lifting these restrictions continued, only five places?South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan?currently maintain import bans. Recently, the European Union (EU) is also reviewing lifting import restrictions on Fukushima seafood at Japan's request, and this is expected to be discussed at the Japan-EU summit scheduled for the 13th.

Fish on sale on May 24 at the Onahama Port seafood market in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. This port is located about 55 km from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, where the Japanese government plans to start releasing contaminated water this summer.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The government and ruling party reaffirmed their position not to import seafood from Fukushima, maintaining the current stance. They emphasized that the safety review of contaminated water discharge and seafood imports are separate issues, and if the public opposes, they will absolutely not import seafood from Fukushima.

Lee Yang-su, the senior deputy floor leader of the People Power Party, pointed out, "If we make a law to ban all Japanese seafood imports this time, Japan will naturally file a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO), and then we would have to prove that all of Japan is contaminated with radiation or that the environment is different, but there is no proper way to do that."

In 2015, Japan filed a WTO complaint protesting South Korea's ban on Fukushima seafood imports, but South Korea lost in the first trial and won in the second, allowing the measure to be maintained. While it is possible to maintain the current status under the principle of ne bis in idem, expanding import restrictions to all of Japan would likely result in defeat if Japan files a WTO complaint.

Lee, the senior deputy floor leader, said, "Since the WTO trial has already ended, whether it is 30, 50, or 100 years, if our country decides not to import, then we will not import," adding, "However, if our people gather opinions that imports might be acceptable and Japan presents corresponding measures, then we can consider it."

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