As a response to the fallout from China’s ban on seafood imports from Japan due to concerns over the water release from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS), Japan has announced several additional actions to aid affected fisheries communities. The water release, initiated on August 24th and supervised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has led to skepticism and distrust from countries like China and Russia regarding the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) procedure’s compliance and its impact on marine food safety.
The two-month-long ban by China has significantly impacted Japan’s local fishery industry, with August exports of marine products to China plummeting by 65% compared to the same period in 2022, amounting to ¥3.6 billion. The scallop prices in the Tohoku and Hokkaido regions also saw a decline of approximately 10% during the first release that concluded on September 11th. Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), responsible for the ALPS process, has received around 200 complaints from businesses over drops in prices and exports.
On October 16th, Russia joined China in imposing restrictions on fish and seafood imports from Japan, citing these measures as a “precautionary measure” until comprehensive information demonstrates the safety of the seafood.
To address the situation, TEPCO announced its intention to undertake compensation measures for fishery entities affected by the bans. The company has set up a dedicated team of 1000 employees to work on compensation damages and consultation desks to assist with administrative procedures.
The exact amount of the damage is yet to be evaluated, but TEPCO’s compensation for the damage in August 2023 alone is estimated to reach several billion yen. This effort is complemented by the government’s rescue package for the fishery sector, unveiled by Prime Minister Kishida on August 31st. The relief plan includes measures to expand domestic consumption and sustainable production of seafood, strategies to diversify overseas markets, reputation damage mitigation, and compensation provisions. The government has allocated funds, including a ¥30 billion ($206 million) fund to help local fishers cope with reputational damage and another ¥50 billion fund to help them maintain their businesses.
As Japan began the second stage of the water release from FDNPS on October 5th, further declines in prices, sales, and imports of seafood products are anticipated due to China’s and Russia’s measures. Despite the challenges facing Japan’s local fishery communities and the fisheries industry, the Japanese government is actively taking responsibility and authority to mitigate risks and support this crucial industry.
Source: ACCESSWIRE
