Fukushima Food Ingredients "Much Safer Than 'That Country'," Japan's Reconstruction Minister Criticizes Korea

Contaminated water storage tank at Fukushima nuclear power plant / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] A senior Japanese official criticized the South Korean government, which regulates the import of seafood from Fukushima Prefecture and eight neighboring prefectures, saying, "Japan is much safer and cleaner than 'that country.'"

Reconstruction Minister Kazunori Tanaka mentioned the issue of exporting food ingredients from Fukushima Prefecture at a press conference held on the 18th, stating, "Japan has passed the strictest standards in the world."

Minister Tanaka said, "The food ingredients from Fukushima show low levels that pose no distribution problems even within Japan," and added, "We are also aware of South Korea's (food ingredient) radiation levels."

He emphasized that since October 2012, the year following the Great East Japan Earthquake and the nuclear power plant explosion, the cesium concentration standard for radioactive materials has been strengthened to 100 becquerels (Bq) per kilogram.

On the same day, local media such as the Asahi Shimbun reported that Minister Tanaka made these remarks targeting South Korea.

Meanwhile, South Korea's cesium concentration standard is the same as Japan's at 100 becquerels per kilogram, and for infant food, milk, and dairy products, the standard is applied at 50 becquerels or less per kilogram.

Earlier, in April last year, the South Korean government won a case against Japan at the World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body regarding the seafood dispute near Fukushima.

Currently, in addition to South Korea, five countries including Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, and Macau regulate the import of Japanese food ingredients.