Despite Japan’s efforts to lift import restrictions on seafood from regions affected by the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Hong Kong has reiterated its stance to maintain strict controls due to ongoing concerns over the release of treated nuclear wastewater. While 49 of the 55 countries that imposed trade barriers following the 2011 incident have since lifted them, Hong Kong remains cautious, citing the unprecedented scale of the wastewater discharge and its potential long-term effects on marine ecology and food safety.
The Hong Kong Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) has highlighted the risks involved, noting that the wastewater release is expected to last 30 years and involve over 1.3 million tons of nuclear-contaminated water. Frequent accidents at the Fukushima plant—an average of one every two months—further fuel Hong Kong's concerns about food safety, prompting continued import restrictions and stringent testing of Japanese seafood.
In contrast, Japan insists that its measures comply with international standards, pointing to the UN International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) endorsement of the safety of its food supply chain. Nevertheless, Hong Kong is determined to uphold its protective measures, with the EEB indicating that further action could be taken if the situation deteriorates.
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