In a significant shift for regional trade and diplomacy, China has officially lifted most of its nearly two-year ban on Japanese seafood imports. The ban, initially imposed in August 2023, was China’s response to Japan’s controversial decision to release treated radioactive water from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean. This move caused outrage in China and led to a sweeping halt on Japanese seafood imports.
Now, after comprehensive scientific testing and renewed diplomatic discussions, China announced that seafood imports from much of Japan can resume, with exceptions remaining for ten prefectures, including Fukushima itself. These imports come with stringent requirements: Japanese exporters must provide health certificates, detailed radioactivity testing results, and certificates of origin.
Japan’s government has welcomed this development as a “turning point,” especially for its fishing and seafood industries, which suffered devastating export losses since 2023. Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi praised the reopening, noting it would help restore economic stability to Japan’s coastal regions.
China’s partial reversal comes amid broader diplomatic overtures and shifting trade dynamics between Beijing, Tokyo, and Washington. Some analysts view the move as a signal from China that it is open to easing trade tensions as global economic uncertainty continues. Still, challenges remain, including continuing restrictions on seafood from certain prefectures and the bureaucratic hurdles Japanese exporters face in re-certifying their goods for the Chinese market.
The gradual resumption of exports is expected to boost the Japanese economy and reestablish ties with one of its most lucrative seafood markets. However, environmental groups and critics remain wary, insisting on continued transparency and safety measures around Fukushima’s treated water discharge and the impact on marine life.
