Japanese Exporters on Alert Due to China's Seafood Import Ban... Government Busy Preparing Countermeasures

Damage Not Only to Areas Near Fukushima but Across Japan
Busy Preparing Support Measures Such as Switching Export Countries and Expanding Domestic Markets

As China declared a complete ban on imports of Japanese seafood following Japan's insistence on discharging contaminated water, the Japanese government is busily working on additional measures, including setting up consultation desks for related businesses.

On the 25th, NHK reported that with China's embargo on all of Japan, concerns about damage are emerging not only in Fukushima Prefecture but also across Japan, including Fukuoka and Hokkaido, which export seafood to China.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Fukuoka has good transportation via ships and airplanes, so many companies export to China, and Hokkaido is known for scallops, which are popular in China.

Because of this, NHK reported that tens of tons of frozen scallops are currently waiting to be shipped in freezers at companies located in Hakodate. An executive of the seafood processing company Kyuichi said, "I feel that China's immediate full ban is a typical Chinese response," and added, "Since Hokkaido seafood is popular in China, I hope the measures will be lifted soon."

A seafood company in Fukuoka City also stated that the impact is inevitable as they have recently strengthened exports to China and Hong Kong by hiring Chinese auction intermediaries. The president told NHK in an interview, "Unlike Fukushima, we thought Fukuoka would not be subject to the embargo, so we were taken aback by the sudden announcement," and appealed, "There is a possibility that Hong Kong will also completely stop imports in the future, so at this point, we cannot even think of countermeasures."

In response, they have begun urgently seeking ways out. First, the number of companies selling seafood domestically online to redirect products that cannot be exported has increased. However, since these are seafood products that were frozen for export, there are concerns about a drop in domestic prices.

Additionally, some companies are reportedly shifting their export destinations to Taiwan and other countries that have not yet imposed a full ban instead of China.

Alongside the individual efforts of seafood businesses, the government is also busy preparing countermeasures. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced measures the previous day to establish special consultation desks for businesses at organizations such as the Small and Medium Enterprise Support Organization and the Japan External Trade Organization.

Through notices on their websites, they stated, "We plan to provide support information such as expanding new sales channels and developing new products to companies concerned about sales declines," and added, "We will also offer advice to those facing issues with local customs clearance or business partners related to food exports."

They also announced that advisors will be dispatched locally to assist consultations in the Tohoku region, which includes Hokkaido and Fukushima Prefecture.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, 30 billion yen out of the 80 billion yen fund established by the Japanese government to support fishermen against reputational (fake news) damage will be used to support seafood businesses affected by the situation. The government plans to temporarily purchase seafood through fishermen's organizations if wholesale market prices drop by more than 7% due to the contaminated water discharge. The government will provide unlimited subsidies for the costs of frozen storage.

Furthermore, to promote domestic seafood consumption, up to 100 million yen will be provided to companies that serve seafood in their employee cafeterias. Additionally, up to 50 million yen will be subsidized to support efforts to expand sales channels such as online sales.

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) also announced it will respond to damages suffered by seafood businesses due to the embargo. Tomoaki Kobayakawa, president of TEPCO, told reporters the previous day, "If businesses suffer damage due to overseas embargoes, we plan to compensate appropriately," and added, "Since China is a very important trading partner for Japan, we will properly explain the safety of our products."

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