Japan Urges Hong Kong to Lift Seafood Ban

During a recent meeting in Hong Kong, Japan's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Tetsushi Sakamoto, urged the city to lift its ban on seafood imports from ten Japanese prefectures, including Fukushima, imposed due to concerns over treated wastewater discharge from the Fukushima nuclear plant. Hong Kong's Deputy Chief Secretary, Cheuk Wing-hing, expressed ongoing concerns about the long-term effectiveness of the wastewater treatment systems and emphasized the city's commitment to food safety and public health. The Hong Kong government has taken a cautious stance, maintaining the ban while monitoring developments related to the treated water release. Sakamoto argued that the ban lacks scientific justification and expressed a desire for continued dialogue on the issue. The ban significantly impacts Japan, as Hong Kong is one of its largest food export markets. The discussions occurred amidst Japan's push to reassure international markets of the safety of its seafood products post-discharge.