Japan’s top diplomat in Hong Kong has criticized local authorities for not providing scientific evidence to support their proposed ban on seafood imports from certain Japanese prefectures. Consul General Kenichi Okada expressed his disappointment at the Hong Kong government’s plan to prohibit seafood from ten prefectures, including Fukushima, if Japan proceeds with its plan to release treated nuclear waste water from the Fukushima power plant into the sea. Okada stated that they have yet to receive any scientific justification for the ban from the Hong Kong side.
The Hong Kong Chief Executive, John Lee Ka-chiu, argued that the ban is necessary to protect public health if Japan proceeds with its proposed plan to pump treated waste water into the sea from August onwards. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has evaluated the scheme and assured the public that it complies with global safety standards and would have a negligible impact on health and the environment.
Citing the remarks of IAEA director general Rafael Mariano Grossi, Okada claimed that there is no scientific basis for strengthening restrictions after reading the agency’s report. To further support their case, Okada and other experts, including Masami Miyashita from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Takashi Hibiki, a nuclear researcher from City University of Hong Kong, held a three-hour press conference to explain the findings of the atomic body.
Hibiki stated that only 16 grams of tritiated water, which is radioactive, would be released into the Pacific Ocean over the course of 30 years. He emphasized that the volume is equivalent to a bottle of eye drops, and the release of tritium water at the proposed levels would have no harmful effects on the environment or humans. Okada also revealed that he urged Chief Executive John Lee to reconsider the existing restrictions and refrain from implementing the ban.
Hong Kong currently requires radiation certificates for selected food exports from five Japanese prefectures, including Fukushima. The Consul General expressed his disappointment with the ban last week, as Lee warned of the inevitable risks to food safety and the environment associated with the proposed discharge plan. Mainland China has also opted to maintain its ban on imports from ten Japanese prefectures, including Fukushima.
Under Hong Kong’s proposal, seafood imports from Tokyo, Miyagi, Niigata, Nagano, Fukushima, Chiba, Gunma, Ibaraki, Tochigi, and Saitama would be banned. Okada vowed that Tokyo would continue sharing the IAEA report’s findings and other relevant information with Hong Kong officials in the hope that the city will reconsider the current restrictions and refrain from implementing the ban.
Despite the assurances from the agency, Okada acknowledged the growing concerns among Hong Kong residents regarding food safety. He expressed concern about the confusion surrounding the nature of ALPS treated water as contaminated water. ALPS treated water refers to Japan’s advanced liquid processing system for treating waste water. Official figures show that major food imports from Japan accounted for approximately 2% of Hong Kong’s total food supply last year, with around 6.75% of locally consumed seafood originating from Japan.
The Consul General emphasized the need to promote a broader understanding of the agency’s report and Japan’s safety measures among Hong Kong residents, ensuring they can continue to enjoy Japanese cuisine. He also expressed hope that the disposal plan would not damage the good relationship that has existed between Japan and Hong Kong for many years.
