Japan weighing response to China's seafood import ban

The Japanese government will carefully monitor China's moves before deciding whether to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization over China's suspension of Japanese seafood imports.

The Chinese government halted all imports of seafood from Japan following the start last Thursday of the release of treated and diluted water into the ocean from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

At a meeting of Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Wednesday, some participants called for filing a complaint with the WTO, saying Beijing's response is not based on scientific evidence.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu noted that the government has raised questions at the WTO about China's past import restrictions that had no scientific basis.

He said that regarding the latest issue, the government will take necessary steps at the WTO or other frameworks with various options in mind.

Some in the government have described China's move extremely unfair and argue that the government should consider a complaint with the WTO as one option.

But others say Tokyo should avoid a major confrontation with Beijing and continue calmly urging China to retract the ban.

The government will carefully decide on its response while watching China's actions.

Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230831_03/