JAPAN – Following China’s ban on Japanese seafood imports, the US military has intervened by purchasing Japan’s seafood in large quantities.
China’s decision to ban Japanese seafood imports was prompted by the release of water from the Fukushima nuclear plant earlier this year.
The incident raised concerns about radiation in food safety, leading to a significant disruption in the seafood trade between the two nations.
The US military, in collaboration with Japanese fisheries and co-ops, is now engaged in discussions to expand the seafood initiative further, countering China’s import ban.
Initial purchases from the US include limited quantities of scallops, with plans for increased procurement in the future.
The seafood acquired by the US military will be provided to soldiers stationed on vessels and military bases in Japan, while some shops and restaurants on these bases will also stock these products.
China’s stance remains cautious, as the nation continues to abstain from Japanese seafood imports.
However, Japanese authorities, on the other hand, insist that the wastewater released from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant is safe for ocean discharge and that fish and seafood have not been affected.
China has upheld its ban on Japanese seafood imports since the release of wastewater began, resulting in a sharp decline in Japan’s seafood exports to China over the past months.
In response to this situation, G7 trade ministers have called for the “immediate repeal” of the ban on Japanese seafood.
However, the Chinese Embassy in Japan criticized this appeal, asserting that countries have the right to take preventive measures to safeguard food safety and public health.
Rahm Emanuel, the US Ambassador to Japan, pledged support for Japan against China’s prohibition and suggested that the best approach to counter China’s economic pressure is by assisting the affected country or industry.
“The best way we have proven in all the instances to kind of wear out China’s economic coercion is to come to the aid and assistance of the targeted country or industry,” he noted.
Notably, the US military had not previously purchased local seafood in Japan. Emanuel expressed confidence in the safety of these products, having consumed them personally and served them to high-ranking US officials and members of the armed forces.
Moreover, Emanuel indicated that the US might explore the possibility of increasing its overall fish imports from Japan and collaborating with Japanese authorities to direct locally caught scallops to US-registered processors.
Specific cost details regarding the sale or provision of Japanese seafood to the US military stationed in Japan were not disclosed by Defense Commissary Agency representatives.
Meanwhile, UN inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency have collected samples from a fish market near the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
The collected samples have been sent for testing to the IAEA and ten other research institutions in Japan, South Korea, China, and Canada. This comprehensive examination aims to ensure transparency and assess the safety of the water discharge.
