U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, expressed his support for Japan in the event of a dispute at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over China’s ban on Japanese seafood. Emanuel made these remarks during his visit to the Fukushima region, where Japan recently started releasing treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.
China, Japan’s biggest trade partner, responded to the release of the Fukushima water by imposing a ban on Japanese aquatic products. In response, Japanese officials have signaled the possibility of diplomatic action, including filing a WTO complaint, to urge China to lift its ban. Emanuel stated that the United States would stand by Japan in this effort, citing the legitimacy of the case.
Japan exported approximately $600 million worth of aquatic products to China in 2022, making it the largest market for Japanese seafood exports. Hong Kong, another major market, also announced its own ban on seafood imports from 10 Japanese regions following the release of the Fukushima water.
Japan has called for an immediate end to China’s ban and has also complained about receiving harassment telephone calls since the water was dumped. Emanuel referred to these actions as “economic coercion” and stated that they were politically motivated.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited Tokyo’s largest fish market and announced that his cabinet would develop measures to support the fishing industry. The government plans to allocate tens of billions of yen from budget reserves to fund these measures, which include support for companies to develop new markets and discussions with China.
To help mitigate the impact of the ban, the Japanese government has established two funds worth 80 billion yen ($548 million) to develop new markets and store excess fish until demand recovers.
During his visit to the city of Soma, near the Fukushima nuclear plant, Emanuel had lunch with the mayor and sampled locally caught seafood. This visit aimed to showcase the safety and quality of Fukushima’s seafood products.
The dispute between Japan and China over the ban on Japanese seafood continues, with Japan seeking a resolution through diplomatic channels and potential WTO action. The United States has expressed its support for Japan, emphasizing the legitimacy of Japan’s case.
What measures has Japan taken to mitigate the effects of the ban on its seafood exports and explore new markets
U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, has expressed his backing for Japan in its potential dispute with China at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over the ban on Japanese seafood. Emanuel made these comments while visiting the Fukushima region, where Japan recently began releasing treated radioactive water from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.
China, being Japan’s largest trading partner, responded to the release of the Fukushima water by implementing a ban on Japanese aquatic products. In response, Japanese officials have hinted at the possibility of pursuing diplomatic measures, including filing a complaint with the WTO, in order to persuade China to lift the ban. Emanuel confirmed that the United States would stand behind Japan in this endeavor, highlighting the validity of their case.
In 2022 alone, Japan exported around $600 million worth of aquatic products to China, making it the largest market for Japanese seafood exports. Additionally, Hong Kong, another significant market, announced its own ban on seafood imports from ten Japanese regions following the release of the Fukushima water.
Japan has called for an immediate end to China’s ban and has complained about receiving harassing phone calls since the water was discharged. Emanuel referred to these actions as “economic coercion” and stated that they were politically motivated.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited Tokyo’s largest fish market and declared that his government would develop measures to support the fishing industry. The Japanese cabinet plans to allocate tens of billions of yen from budget reserves to fund these measures, which include assisting companies in exploring new markets and engaging in discussions with China.
To mitigate the impact of the ban, the Japanese government has established two funds worth 80 billion yen ($548 million) to develop new markets and store excess fish until demand recovers.
During a trip to the city of Soma, near the Fukushima nuclear plant, Emanuel had lunch with the mayor and sampled locally caught seafood. This visit aimed to showcase the safety and quality of Fukushima’s seafood products.
The disagreement concerning the ban on Japanese seafood between Japan and China remains unresolved, with Japan seeking a resolution through diplomatic channels and potential WTO involvement. The United States has shown its support for Japan, highlighting the legitimacy of Japan’s case.
