China and Japan to Hold Talks Over Seafood Import Ban

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to meet his Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya in Beijing on Wednesday to discuss, among other issues, China’s ban on Japanese seafood imports. This will be Iwaya’s first visit to China since taking office in October, following an invitation from Beijing.

Background on the Ban:

• Reason for the Ban: China imposed the seafood import ban in August 2023 after Japan began releasing treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean, a move that China strongly opposed.
• Japan’s Commitment: Under a September agreement, Japan pledged to establish a long-term international monitoring system and to allow independent sampling and monitoring by stakeholders, including China.

China’s Position:

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, during a press briefing on Tuesday, emphasized that Japan must honor its commitments.

• Conditions for Lifting the Ban:
  • Effective participation in international monitoring.
  • Evidence-based adjustments by China regarding seafood imports.
• Mao stated that imports of Japanese seafood could be restored gradually based on compliance with scientific standards and regulations, but no specific timeline was provided.