G7 countries called for urgent lifting of ban on Japanese seafood imports

Following talks in Japan, G7 trade ministers called for the immediate lifting of restrictions on the import of Japanese products. Statement like writes Reuters, refers to the decision of China, which, after the start of water discharge from the Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant, banned the import of fish and seafood from Japan.

The negotiators did not mention China in their statement, the agency notes.

“We condemn actions to weaponize economic dependence and commit to building free, fair and mutually beneficial economic and trade relations,” the document says.

On August 24, with the permission of the IAEA, Japan began releasing more than a million tons of treated water from the destroyed Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. It is expected that this process could last decades. The community of local fishermen spoke out against the dumping – they went to court as a group of more than 150 people. After the dumping began, China immediately banned the import of Japanese fish and seafood. Japan and the United States called the restrictions unfair.

Russia has also introduced temporary restrictions on the supply of fish and seafood from Japan; they will remain in effect until information on the safety of seafood is provided and until these products are analyzed by Rosselkhoznadzor specialists. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan called Moscow to lift restrictions.