Japan, China leaders air differences over Fukushima at Asean
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(From left) Chinese Premier Li Qiang, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the Asean leaders’ summit in Jakarta, on Sept 6.
EPA-EFE
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Top officials of Japan and China discussed their disagreements over Tokyo’s disposal of treated wastewater from the ruined Fukushima nuclear plant
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese Premier Li Qiang spoke briefly one-on-one and had a more extended exchange at a forum with South-east Asian leaders and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on Wednesday, according to statements from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Mr Kishida reiterated Japan’s stance on the wastewater disposal, saying it is being conducted with utmost attention to safety. He brought up Beijing’s suspension of seafood imports
Mr Li called on Japan to handle the water release responsibly, saying it concerns the marine environment and people’s health, China’s Xinhua News reported. Mr Li also asked Japan to fully consult with its neighbours, according to the report.
China has been the most vocal opponent to Japan’s move, even though the International Atomic Energy Agency has determined that the practice meets global safety standards.
Beijing retaliated by suspending all seafood imports from Japan. There are also reports of harassment and abusive behaviour towards Japanese people in China in response to the release.
“Many countries understand the way Japan is dealing with this. In this situation, China’s complete suspension of Japanese seafood imports stands out,” Mr Kishida told reporters on Wednesday.
He added that there is no decision yet on whether he would speak with Mr Li at the Group of 20 summit in India this week. The Chinese premier is attending the event as President Xi Jinping looks set to skip it.
Japan said this week it has requested discussions with China under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership over the seafood ban. Both countries are members of the pact, which also includes other Asia-Pacific nations such as South Korea, Indonesia and Singapore.
Japan has warned of potential World Trade Organisation (WTO) action against China.
Tokyo this week submitted its argument to the WTO explaining the safety of the release. It also urged China to “immediately repeal” its import suspension.
While the loss of China as an export market for items like scallops will have only a minimal effect on Japan’s overall economy, the government is anxious to maintain the reputation of its food and protect its fishing industry.
Japanese officials have made extensive efforts to persuade various countries to remove remaining restrictions on Japanese food imports since the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that wrecked the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant. BLOOMBERG
