'Scallop Mukbang' Kishida... Sweating Over China's Seafood Export Ban

Hokkaido Scallops Hit as China Halts Imports
"Support by Eating" Appeal to Citizens
Russia Also Suspends Japanese Seafood Imports from 16th

After China imposed a complete ban on imports of Japanese seafood following the discharge of contaminated water from Fukushima into the ocean, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has repeatedly engaged in "seafood mukbangs."

On the 17th (local time), Prime Minister Kishida and Naomichi Suzuki, Governor of Hokkaido, held talks at the Prime Minister's Official Residence regarding China's ban on Japanese seafood imports, and together tasted sashimi made from Hokkaido scallops, according to reports by Nihon Keizai Shimbun and others.

On the 17th (local time), Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida tasted scallop sashimi from Hokkaido with Naomichi Suzuki, Governor of Hokkaido, at the Prime Minister's Official Residence in Tokyo. [Image source=Kyodo News, Yonhap News Agency]

Governor Suzuki requested, “Please make efforts to counter China's ban on Japanese seafood,” and Prime Minister Kishida responded, “We will firmly implement policies to protect fishermen.”

While eating the Hokkaido scallop sashimi prepared for the occasion, Prime Minister Kishida remarked, “The flesh is thick and tender, and it looks good. May I have another bite?” which brought smiles.

This approach reflects the challenging situation for Japanese scallop exports following China’s seafood import ban. The suspension of shipments of Hokkaido scallops, a major export product to China, is impacting the regional economy. Last year, exports of Hokkaido scallops to China accounted for 66% of the total volume, amounting to 43.4 billion yen (approximately 390.9 billion KRW).

On the afternoon of the 5th, when Tokyo Electric Power Company began the second phase of Fukushima contaminated water discharge into the ocean, a tank of Japanese scallops was empty at a store in Noryangjin Fish Market, Dongjak-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

There have been reports that Hokkaido scallops, cut off from sales channels, have piled up in frozen warehouses up to 8 meters high. Previously, one company announced it would provide 100,000 servings of scallops free of charge for school meals, highlighting the urgent need to manage inventory. In response, Prime Minister Kishida appealed to the public, saying, “Let’s support by eating. Please eat plenty of Japanese scallops.”

Last month, newly appointed Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ichiro Miyashita even appeared at a press conference holding a sign that read, “I will eat it, Japan!” launching a campaign stating that if each citizen eats five scallops annually, the scallop issue can be resolved.

Meanwhile, on August 24, the Chinese government suspended imports of seafood from all over Japan in response to the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Sensing the crisis, Prime Minister Kishida soon showcased a "seafood mukbang" by eating Fukushima-produced sea bass, flounder, and octopus sashimi for lunch.

Amid this, the Russian government also fully suspended imports of Japanese seafood starting from the 16th to protest the Fukushima contaminated water discharge. The Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance stated, “We are joining China’s measures to regulate imports of Japanese seafood,” and added, “This will continue until we receive comprehensive information from Japan proving the safety of Japanese seafood.”