Russia Contemplates Joining China in Imposing Restrictions on Japanese Seafood Imports

Russia said Tuesday that it was considering joining China in its ban on Japanese seafood imports following Japan’s actions to release treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

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“Taking into account the possible risks of products being contaminated by radiation, Rosselkhoznadzor is considering the possibility of joining the Chinese in restricting the supply of fish products from Japan,” the regulator said.

“A final decision will be made after negotiations with the Japanese side,” it added.

Rosselkhoznador said it had requested Japan provide information about its radiological testing procedures for exported fish products, including the residual presence of the radioactive isotope tritium. Japan has until Oct. 16 to provide this information.

Russia has imported about 118 tonnes of Japanese seafood as of September this year, according to the Russian regulator. Last year, the country received 190 tonnes of fish products from Japan.

Government spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno said that Japan will scrutinize Russia’s remarks but urged that the Russian government “act based on scientific evidence.”

Mr. Matsuno told reporters that Russia was a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) expert team that examined and approved the Fukushima water release plan in July.

In its latest report on water testing, Japan’s Environment Ministry said analysis results of seawater, sampled on Sept. 19, showed the tritium concentrations were below the lower limit of detection at 11 sampling points and would have no adverse impact on human health and the environment.

In the document, the ministry emphasized that Japan’s standard for releasing tritium—which is less than 22 trillion becquerels per year—is lower than those released by China’s nuclear reactors.

“For instance, the amount of tritium to be released annually from [Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station] is approximately one-tenth of the amount of tritium released from Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant in China,” the ministry stated.