China lifts ban on most Japanese seafood after Fukushima wastewater row
Independent1 day
China Partially Lifts Japan Seafood Ban
Above: Fishery workers at Matsukawaura port in Soma City, Fukushima prefecture, on Sept.1, 2023. Image copyright: STR/JIJI Press/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-China narrative
China's lifting of restrictions is conditional on wastewater testing continuing to find no abnormalities in Fukushima's wastewater and Japan's promises to uphold rigorous quality assurances. If Japanese authorities or producers, however, fail to meet China’s regulatory standards, China will implement swift control measures to guarantee the health and safety of the Chinese people.
Narrative B
The partial lifting of Chinese restrictions is a breakthrough for Japanese producers following two years of uncertainty regarding the significant Chinese export market. The Japanese government will work closely with the fishing industry to reestablish trade with China while urging its Chinese counterpart to lift restrictions from the last 10 Japanese prefectures.