China Bans Imports Of Sea Food Products From Japan Due To Nuclear Waste

UNSPLASH/Shanghai ILLUSTRATION, China/Denys Nevozhai

JAKARTA - China has issued a ban on imports of food products, especially seafood, from Japan as the country continues its plans to release nuclear used water waste into the sea, according to the Global Times daily.

Beijing has banned food purchases from 10 regions in Japan including Fukushima, according to the Chinese Customs Administration (GAC).

The move aims to prevent imports of "foods contaminated radioactively" from Japan and ensure the safety of imported foods for Chinese consumers, according to the newspaper.

Beijing's action came after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said the release of water processed by Japan from the damaged Fukushima power plant would have a "negligible" impact both on humans and the environment.

For food from other regions in Japan, especially aquatic products, GAC will strictly review certification documents, increase surveillance, implement strict inspections, and continue to improve monitoring of radioactive material.

Japan plans to start disposing of the accumulation of radioactive water this summer.