Japanese premier suggests to China joint expert group on nuclear waste

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - Amid pressure over a seafood ban by Beijing after Tokyo released radioactive water into the sea, Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida suggested a joint expert group with China to study the issue.

“Japan will persist in advocating to China that experts from both nations should engage in comprehensive discussions grounded in scientific proof,” Kishida told a gathering of high-ranking officials from his ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Tokyo-based NHK News reported.

His statement came as China imposed a blanket ban on all imports of aquatic products from Japan after Tokyo began releasing radioactive water into the sea from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Kishida emphasized his government's commitment to preventing harm to the nation's fishing sector due to the release of nuclear waste.

The prime minister said his government will use diplomatic channels to urge China to "promptly revoke" its suspension of all imports of Japanese seafood.

He said his administration will encourage domestic endeavors to enhance seafood consumption as part of safeguarding the fishing industry.

Meanwhile, Japanese officials have indicated that Tokyo could file a complaint at the World Trade Organization against China’s ban on Japanese seafood, according to Kyodo News.