China resumes imports of Japanese seafood after prolonged ban

In May 2025, China announced it would resume importing seafood from Japan, which had been banned since August 2023. The ban was implemented over concerns regarding the safety of seafood following Japan's decision to discharge treated wastewater from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean. The Japanese government assured that the discharged water would be diluted and treated to meet safety standards. Following negotiations between Japanese and Chinese officials in Beijing, it was revealed that Japan had reached an agreement with China regarding the resumption of seafood imports, contingent upon the completion of necessary paperwork. The agreement is seen as a significant diplomatic development, aimed at alleviating longstanding tensions between the two nations that arose from this environmental issue. Agricultural exports, particularly seafood, are critically important for Japan’s economy, and the ban imposed by China had a considerable negative impact on the Japanese fisheries sector, which relies heavily on the Chinese market. The situation surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant remains complex due to the meltdowns that occurred in 2011, triggered by a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami. Since the disaster, Japan has struggled with large quantities of radioactive water that have accumulated on-site as a result of cooling efforts for the reactors. The government argues that releasing the treated wastewater is necessary for the ongoing decommissioning of the plant and is a logistical requirement to manage the radioactive water stockpile effectively. Despite Japan's assurances regarding safety, there has been substantial public backlash both domestically and internationally against the decision to discharge wastewater. Before coming to this agreement, Japan’s officials engaged in multiple rounds of talks with their Chinese counterparts, focusing on technical requirements for seafood exports and the safety standards related to aquatic products. The planned resumption of exports indicates a cautious but hopeful thawing of relations, helping to possibly pave the way to address other contentious issues between the nations, including trade disputes and historical grievances. Foreign Ministry representatives from Japan expressed optimism about the potential benefits that could arise from resuming seafood exports, framing it as a vital step in building a more constructive bilateral relationship moving forward. Despite the announcement, certain bans remain in place, particularly against agricultural products from ten Japanese prefectures, including Fukushima, highlighting that challenges linger in Japan-China relations. The engagement from the International Atomic Energy Agency is part of the effort to monitor the situation and ensure transparency, but public opposition persists, particularly from Japanese fishing communities. The concerns revolve around reputational damage and potential economic losses due to perceived product contamination amidst ongoing fears about nuclear safety. This situation underscores the sensitive nature of environmental issues intertwined with international trade and diplomacy.