Japan Invites China To Join Nuclear Waste Examination Group

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida invited China to join a group of experts who monitored the disposal of Fukushima nuclear wastewater, following the ban on imports of marine products imposed by Beijing on Tokyo.

"Japan will continue to advocate for China so that experts from both countries are involved in comprehensive discussions based on scientific evidence," Kishida said at a meeting of high-ranking Liberal Democratic Party officials, according to a report by NHK News reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, August 29.

Kishida proposed this after China imposed a ban on imports of all aquatic products from Japan, after Tokyo began the process of releasing radioactive wastewater from PLTN Fukushima into the sea.

Kishida stressed the government's commitment to prevent damage to the state fisheries sector due to the release of the nuclear waste.

He said Japan would use diplomatic channels to urge China to immediately lift the suspension of all seafood imports from Tokyo.

At the same time, Kishida said, the Japanese government will encourage domestic efforts to increase seafood consumption as part of efforts to maintain the fishing industry.

Meanwhile, Japanese officials indicated that Tokyo could file a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) over China's ban on imports of Japanese seafood, according to a Kyodo News report.