Hong Kong to curb some Japan food imports over Fukushima water release

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
22 Aug 2023 12:46

The Japanese government unleashes nuclear wastewater into the sea, affecting food safety and creating potential environmental hazards, according to many of its neighboring countries.

Protesters chant in the rain during a rally against the treated radioactive water release from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant, in front of the Prime Minister's office Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023, in Tokyo. (AP)

Hong Kong's Chief Executive, John Lee, stated on Tuesday that he had directed his government to promptly implement restrictions on the import of certain Japanese food items, following Tokyo's decision to release water from the troubled Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean.

In a Facebook post, John Lee expressed his strong objection to the Japanese government's unilateral choice to discharge nuclear wastewater into the sea. He criticized this action as "irresponsible," as it neglected concerns related to food safety and potential environmental hazards.

Lee further explained that he had instructed the Secretary for the Environment and Ecology, along with relevant departments, to immediately enforce measures to control imports, aiming to safeguard food safety and public health within Hong Kong.

Japan, on the other hand, maintains that the gradual release of accumulated water from the stricken nuclear plant into the sea, which amounts to over 500 Olympic swimming pools' worth, is safe. This stance is endorsed by the UN atomic agency.

Hong Kong is the second-largest recipient of Japanese food imports, following mainland China, as reported by Japan's Ministry of Agriculture. During the previous month, Hong Kong had announced its intention to "prohibit the import of aquatic products originating from 10 prefectures" in Japan if the wastewater release proceeded.

This declaration mirrored a similar one made by China's General Administration of Customs, which had threatened a comprehensive ban on food products from the affected regions. The 10 named prefectures included Tokyo, Fukushima, Chiba, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Gunma, Miyagi, Niigata, Nagano, and Saitama.

Japan's diplomatic representatives in Hong Kong have opposed the imposition of import restrictions and have engaged in discussions with John Lee and other senior government officials over the past weeks.