Japanese Fukushima Governor: "Providing Fukushima Food Products at G7 Summit"

"Expectations for Promoting Understanding of Fukushima"
Panels Displayed to Inform About Fukushima Reconstruction Status

Fukushima Prefecture in Japan announced that dishes made with ingredients from Fukushima will be served at the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit on the 19th, sparking anticipated controversy both inside and outside Japan. Along with providing these ingredients, Fukushima Prefecture and the Japanese government plan to exhibit panels introducing the contaminated water treatment process and the revitalization status of Fukushima at the G7 to broaden the understanding of the participating countries.

Masao Uchibori, Governor of Fukushima Prefecture, held a press conference on the 15th and announced that Fukushima Prefecture ingredients will be provided at the G7 Hiroshima Summit. (Photo by NHK)

According to NHK on the 16th, Masao Uchibori, Governor of Fukushima Prefecture, stated at a regular press conference the previous day, "Dishes made with ingredients from Fukushima will be served to dignitaries participating in the G7 summit held from the 19th to the 21st. I believe this is a valuable opportunity to deepen understanding of our prefecture, which is taking steps toward revitalization."

Fukushima products and processed goods will also be included at the International Media Center, where foreign journalists gather. Governor Uchibori said, "At the Media Center, we plan to offer Fukushima peach juice, carbonated water from Kaneyama Town, as well as Fukushima local sake and wagashi such as yokan."

Information about Fukushima's revitalization and the contaminated water issue will also be shared. Governor Uchibori explained, "Since several meetings are scheduled after the summit, we intend to actively promote the revitalization status by setting up advertising booths. We hope that the government will make efforts to convey accurate information at the Hiroshima summit where world leaders gather, deepening the understanding of related countries regarding contaminated water and the treatment of decontamination soil." Fukushima Prefecture is known to plan exhibiting panels informing about Fukushima’s situation at the Media Center.

He also expressed confidence regarding the dispatch of a South Korean inspection team. Regarding the dispatch, Governor Uchibori emphasized, "Along with delivering accurate information based on scientific facts, we will responsibly work to enhance understanding not only domestically but also internationally in cooperation with international organizations such as the IAEA."

If Fukushima ingredients are supplied to the G7 summit ahead of the release of contaminated water from Fukushima, significant controversy is expected both inside and outside Japan. Previously, during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, the Japanese government announced that Fukushima ingredients would be supplied to the athletes' village, which also sparked domestic and international controversy. At that time, some countries even directly brought food from their own countries for their athletes.