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The European Union (EU) has decided to lift restrictions on Japanese food imports, which were initially imposed after the meltdown of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. The decision comes just weeks before Japan is expected to begin pumping wastewater from the facility into the Pacific Ocean, a move that has raised concerns and sparked opposition from countries such as China, which could lead to further restrictions on Japanese seafood imports. has been threatened.
According to a report by the Guardian, the EU announcement was made after talks at a summit in Brussels, where European Council President Charles Michel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida discussed bilateral issues. What did you meet for? The European Union intends to lift all remaining import restrictions, which could happen as early as next month. The decision follows a major safety review by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently approving Japan’s water release plans, in which the agency concluded that the release would have a minimal radiological impact on people and the environment.
Since the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, the European Union has gradually eased import restrictions on Japanese food products. However, it continues to require certificates indicating the levels of radioactive isotopes in some items, such as wild mushrooms, specific fish species and edible wild plants originating from Fukushima and nine other prefectures.
The European Commission has now said that these restrictions will be lifted entirely. However, while ensuring consumer safety, Japan will continue to monitor its products for radioactivity. Prime Minister Kishida praised the European Union’s decision, highlighting its importance in supporting reconstruction efforts in the affected areas. The move is seen as part of broader efforts to remove trade barriers between Japan and the European Union. For example, access to Japan for EU beef, fruit and vegetable products is currently limited due to Japan’s food safety regulations. Despite the EU decision, eleven countries have maintained import controls on products from Fukushima and other parts of Japan. The issue of wastewater discharge remains controversial.
