Archive · 8 Nov 2025
Japan Resumes Seafood Exports to China After Fukushima Wastewater Ban
Imagine Japan has a big old power plant that had an accident a while ago, and it needs to release some treated water that had touched the damaged parts.
China got worried and said, 'No more seafood from Japan until we're sure it's safe!'
This hurt Japan's seafood sellers.
After two years, and lots of talking, Japan showed China that the water is safe, like a scientist showing their homework is correct.
So, China said, 'Okay, you can start sending us seafood again,' but they are still watching closely.
The first shipment was yummy scallops from a place called Hokkaido.
However, China is still saying 'no' to seafood from the area right around the plant itself, just to be extra careful.
Japan has resumed seafood exports to China after a two-year ban triggered by the Fukushima wastewater release.
The first shipment post-ban included 6 metric tons of scallops from Hokkaido.
China imposed the ban in August 2023 following the treated radioactive wastewater discharge from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
Japan asserts the wastewater discharge meets international safety standards, while China will continue monitoring for food safety.
Restrictions remain in place for seafood originating from Fukushima and nine surrounding prefectures.
- Who
- Japan and China
- What
- Japan resumed seafood exports to China, which had banned them following the Fukushima wastewater release.
- When
- Exports resumed on November 7, two years after the Fukushima wastewater discharge began impacting exports, with the ban originally imposed in August 2023.
- Where
- The exports are from Japan to China, related to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
- Why
- China eased import restrictions following negotiations, but maintains safety monitoring and restrictions on specific regions due to concerns over the treated wastewater discharge.
Japan's Stance
China's Stance
Wastewater Discharge Safety
Japan's Stance
Japanese officials state the impact of treated wastewater on the environment and humans is negligible, and the IAEA confirms discharges meet international safety standards.
China's Stance
China will continue international and independent sampling and monitoring of the wastewater discharges and will immediately reimpose restrictions if any risks are detected, managing imports strictly according to laws and regulations to ensure food safety.
Scope of Restrictions
Japan's Stance
Japan is urging China to lift all remaining bans, including for seafood from Fukushima and nine nearby prefectures, and to resume importing Japanese beef.
China's Stance
China maintains a ban on seafood from Fukushima and nine nearby prefectures following the nuclear plant's meltdowns, though general seafood imports are resuming.
- First Shipment
- 6 metric tons of scallops from Hokkaido
- Date of Resumption Announcement
- November 7
- Date of Chinese Ban Imposition
- August 2023
- Reason for Ban
- Discharge of treated radioactive wastewater from Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant
- Fukushima Incident Date
- 2011
- International Watchdog
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)