UPDATE - China to ‘gradually’ resume imports of Japan seafood after consensus on nuclear waste

Beijing had imposed ban on imports of aquatic food from Japan after Tokyo began release of treated nuclear waste from crippled Fukushima nuclear plant

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS, STATEMENT BY CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY; CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - China Friday said it will “gradually resume” imports of seafood from Japan after the two sides reached a “consensus” over Tokyo’s release of treated nuclear waste released by Tokyo into the seas from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant.

“China will begin to adjust the relevant measures based on scientific evidence and gradually resume imports of Japanese aquatic products that meet the regulation requirements and standards,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Beijing had imposed a blanket ban on imports of seafood from Japan after Tokyo began releasing the radioactive water into the sea last year in August.

The consensus was reached after Japan agreed to allow third-party countries to join monitoring activities on the discharge of treated nuclear waste, it added.

“Japanese side has made it clear that it will earnestly fulfill its obligations under international law, make every effort to avoid negative impacts on people and the environment, and will continue to carry out impact assessments on the marine environment and marine ecology,” said the Foreign Ministry.

However, Beijing said its "firm opposition" to the discharge of nuclear wastewater "has not changed."

China and other nations had strongly opposed Japan releasing the radioactive water into the sea.

Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Friday urged Beijing to “immediately” repeal the ban on seafood imports.

Kaynak: