Official announcements from the Japanese government or major news agencies like NHK or international agencies

China and Japan Agree on Fukushima Wastewater Monitoring, Gradually Easing Seafood Ban: Mao Ning

Sep 20, 2024, 07:15 AM

China and Japan have reached a consensus on the discharge of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated wastewater, with Japan agreeing to establish a long-term international monitoring arrangement. China has stressed that independent sampling should be conducted before gradually resuming imports of Japanese aquatic products, according to CCTV. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated that China will start the process to ease restrictions on the seafood ban based on additional monitoring results, although the ban will not be lifted immediately. Both countries have conducted multiple rounds of consultations, and Japan has expressed an open attitude to other countries joining the monitoring of the discharge. The agreement does not mean China will immediately resume imports of Japanese aquatic products, but it marks a significant step towards that direction, as reported by NHK. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning emphasized that the content and timing of the agreement were determined through intensive consultations.