SCMP: Japan Urges Hong Kong to Lift Seafood Ban Amid Controversy

Wednesday, 25 September 2024, 11:10

SCMP highlights Japan's call for Hong Kong to lift the seafood import ban that has been in place for over a year. Japanese diplomat Kenichi Okada emphasized the need for a correct decision based on scientific evidence. This appeal comes after strong signals from Beijing to ease similar restrictions on the mainland.

Japan's Call for Action

A Japanese diplomat has urged Hong Kong to make the correct decision and lift the city's 13-month long import ban on aquatic products from 10 prefectures as soon as possible, after Beijing signalled its intention to gradually roll back its own curbs.

Impact on Hong Kong's Food Industry

Kenichi Okada, the country’s consul general in Hong Kong, made the appeal on Wednesday, a day after Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu called for access to sufficient scientific data and evidence before his administration would consider any possibility of adjusting the restrictions. Hong Kong currently bans aquatic products from the Tokyo, Fukushima, Chiba, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Gunma, Miyagi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama prefectures.

The Centre for Food Safety ramped up daily radiation inspections on all other Japanese seafood imports as part of the restrictions.
Okada expressed regret over the ongoing import ban, highlighting Hong Kong as the largest global export destination forJapanese aquatic products.
The mainland and Hong Kong had imposed restrictions following Japan’s decision to start releasing treated waste water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

Okada noted that a recent consensus between Japan and the mainland might pave the way for Hong Kong to lift similar restrictions. He expressed hope that the Hong Kong government would make the correct decision soon based on scientific evidence, allowing residents to enjoy more Japanese aquatic products.

Last Friday, Beijing agreed to gradually resume the import of Japanese seafood following multiple discussions, raising hopes in the industry.

Hong Kong’s catering sector has called for easing of restrictions, stating the seafood import ban has severely affected struggling restaurants.

This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.