Chinese Consumers React to Japan’s Release of Treated Radioactive Water from Fukushima

Chinese Consumers Panic-Buy Salt and Avoid Seafood After Japan’s Release of Treated Radioactive Water

BEIJING, Aug 25 (Reuters) – Chinese consumers have reacted strongly to Japan’s decision to release treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean from the Fukushima nuclear plant. Following Beijing’s condemnation of the action, Chinese citizens have rushed to stock up on salt and have avoided purchasing seafood.

China’s state media and government officials have been critical of Japan’s plan, stating that the Japanese government has not provided sufficient evidence to prove the safety of the discharged water. Concerns have been raised about the potential danger to neighboring countries.

In response to Japan’s release, China has implemented a blanket ban on all aquatic products from Japan. At the Jiangyang Seafood Market in Shanghai’s Baoshan District, vendors have removed Japanese products from their stalls as per the market’s management’s request. However, some vendors worry that customers may be deterred from purchasing seafood altogether, regardless of its origin.

“I think it will influence people eating seafood a little, even if it’s not from Japan, there’s nothing we can do about that,” said a vendor surnamed Wang.

The impact of Japan’s action is already evident in the seafood market. Chen Yongyao, an employee at a frozen seafood store in Jiangyang, noted that prior to Japan’s release, the market was bustling with customers. However, since the release, business has significantly declined, with no one buying seafood.

The panic-buying of salt has also been observed. The state-run National Salt Industry Group, the world’s largest common salt maker, has urged people not to engage in panic-buying, assuring consumers that production is being ramped up and any shortfall will be temporary. However, supermarket shelves have been emptied of salt, and online sales platforms, including JD.com, have reported being sold out in some areas such as Beijing and Shanghai.

According to Chinese media outlet Jiemian, 6.73 million orders for salt have been placed on JD.com since August 22. This surge in demand for salt is reminiscent of the situation in 2011 following the initial Fukushima nuclear disaster. In addition to concerns about potential contamination of sea salt, there is a widespread belief in China that iodized salt can help protect against radiation poisoning.

Shanghai shopper Wang Kaiyun, 56, acknowledged that many people she knows believe salt protects against radiation poisoning. She personally went to the supermarket to stock up on salt before it ran out, prompted by videos online showing empty supermarket shelves.

Japan has criticized China for spreading “scientifically unfounded claims” and maintains that the water release is safe. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has also concluded that the impact on people and the environment would be “negligible.”

Reporting by Casey Hall, Xihao Jiang, Albee Zhang, and Brenda Goh; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore

Casey Hall, an Australian-born journalist who has been reporting on China’s consumer culture from Shanghai for over a decade, has covered the trends in Chinese consumption and the broader social and economic factors driving these trends. She has been living in China since 2007.

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

How has the panic-buying trend and avoidance of seafood affected sales in the seafood industry in China?

Ase, sales have significantly dropped.

“The customers are very worried about the safety of seafood now. Sales have fallen sharply, especially for products like fish and shrimp,” Chen said.

In addition to avoiding seafood, Chinese consumers have also turned to panic-buying salt. This behavior stems from a belief that salt can act as a protective measure against radiation exposure. Videos and discussions on social media platforms such as Weibo have fueled the panic-buying trend, with individuals rushing to stores to stock up on salt.

Local supermarkets and online platforms have reported a surge in salt sales. E-commerce giant JD.com has stated that salt sales have increased seven times compared to normal levels. Some supermarkets have even imposed limits on the amount of salt that can be purchased per customer to prevent hoarding.

However, experts and authorities have tried to reassure the public that there is no need for panic-buying salt. The National Health Commission released a statement emphasizing that the treated water is safe and meets international standards. They also emphasized that excessive salt consumption can have negative health effects.

“The amount of radiation contained in the discharged water is within the acceptable range and will not cause harm to human health or the environment,” the statement said.

Despite these reassurances, the panic-buying trend continues. This is not the first time Chinese consumers have reacted strongly to food safety concerns. In 2011, after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Chinese citizens also avoided purchasing Japanese food products.

The ongoing panic-buying and avoidance of seafood pose challenges for both vendors and the wider seafood industry. It remains to be seen how long this trend will continue and what impact it will have on the relationship between China and Japan.