Kyodo News reported on the 8th that the Japanese government proposed to the Korean government to start working-level talks to resume seafood imports.
Korea, concerned about the spread of radioactive contamination immediately after the Fukushima nuclear plant accident in 2011, imposed a blanket ban on seafood imports from eight prefectures near Fukushima, including Miyagi and Ibaraki. Even when importing seafood from other regions such as Tokyo and Hokkaido, Korea strictly requires the submission of certificates of radioactive substance testing. Some interpreted this as Japan seeking to pressure Korea to lift its seafood import restrictions by leveraging Korea's push to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
According to Kyodo News that day, the Japanese government recently made an official request to the Korean government to set up a new regular consultative body to discuss lifting restrictions on imports of Japanese seafood. If talks begin, Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Korea's Ministery of Food and Drug Safety are expected to serve as counterparts and exchange views at the working level. The Japanese government is expected to use this body to explain its domestic marine safety management system and the scientific basis related to radioactive substances. Through this, it plans to calm public anxiety in Korea over Japanese seafood and prepare the environment for resuming imports.
However, the likelihood that seafood imports will resume in the short term is unclear. Kyodo News added that the Korean government has yet to state a clear position on Japan's repeated calls to start talks. Since 2011, the Korean government has maintained the principle that, because the issue of importing Japanese seafood is directly linked to public health, it cannot ease restrictions hastily unless scientific safety is fully proven. Domestic public opinion also remains negative toward resuming imports of Japanese seafood.
Trade experts said Japan's move to raise the resumption of seafood imports at this time reflects the recently improved Korea-Japan relations and Korea's trade strategy. For Korea to join the CPTPP, unanimous approval by existing members, including Japan as the chair, is essential. This suggests the Japanese side is bringing the lifting of seafood import restrictions to the table as a key bargaining chip as a precondition for accession, aiming to resolve a long-standing pending issue.