China has demanded a compensation system in preparation for damages caused by Japan’s contaminated water discharge. Since last year, China has been banning the import of Japanese seafood.
According to Yonhap News on the 12th, Kyodo News reported that China is demanding Japan establish a compensation system in preparation for economic damages caused by the discharge of contaminated water (named “treated water” by the Japanese government) from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea beneath the surface.
According to sources from both countries, China has set up three major mechanisms for responding to the issue surrounding Fukushima’s contaminated water: a dialogue between the two countries, an independent monitoring system, and a compensation system. Since last year, the Chinese government has demanded establishing a compensation system several times through diplomatic channels.
Japan has rejected China’s demands, insisting that there are no safety issues due to the discharge into the sea. However, China reportedly has not shown any signs of withdrawing its demands.
Therefore, the prospect of China lifting the import ban on Japanese seafood remains bleak. Previously, China had wholly banned the import of Japanese seafood since August last year when Japan began discharging contaminated water from Fukushima into the sea.
Regarding monitoring marine discharges, Japan claims that surveillance is being carried out through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), but China is demanding a “long-term effective international monitoring system.”
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida requested the lifting of import restrictions on Japanese seafood during a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in November last year, urging a response based on scientific evidence.
However, President Xi expressed a contrary opinion: “Japan must seriously take into account reasonable concerns at domestic and international levels and handle them with a responsible and constructive attitude in an appropriate measure.”
Both sides plan to seek appropriate solutions to the issue of Fukushima’s contaminated water through discussions and negotiations.
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