MOSCOW/TOKYO, Oct 16– Russia has taken a cue from China and imposed restrictions on the import of fish and seafood from Japan, citing concerns about seafood safety due to Japan’s release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. Japan has argued that this release is safe and supported by scientific evidence.
China had previously banned all seafood imports from Japan in response to the radioactive water release, which Japan deemed safe but China criticized.
Russia’s agricultural watchdog, Rosselkhoznadzor, explained that these restrictions are a “precautionary measure” and will remain in place until comprehensive information demonstrates the safety of Japanese seafood.
In response to Russia’s ban, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries called it “unjust and regrettable” and urged Russia to revoke it. Japan has been actively providing information to Russia, assuring the safety of its aquatic products and the rigorous inspection methods used to detect radioactive materials, including tritium.
This move affects a significant portion of Russia’s fish and seafood supply, much of which is sourced from its far eastern regions close to Japan. During the first nine months of the year, Russia imported 118 metric tonnes of fish and seafood from Japan.
However, this restriction also impacts Russia, as Japan is among the biggest export markets for Russian seafood, alongside China and South Korea. Independent third-party laboratories from Canada, China, and South Korea are set to participate in monitoring the Fukushima water release.