"China Agrees to Resume Import of Japanese Koi Carp After Suspension Following Contaminated Water Discharge"

Japan will resume imports of Japanese ornamental koi fish, which China had suspended after Japan discharged contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant (referred to as "treated water" by the Japanese government) into the sea.

Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Contaminated Water Discharge Facility
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kyodo News reported on the 21st that China recently agreed to resume imports of Japanese ornamental koi fish after accepting Japan's request. In this regard, the General Administration of Customs of China posted a list of quarantine target facilities on its website, including six fish farms located in Niigata Prefecture, Hiroshima Prefecture, and Fukuoka Prefecture. Kyodo News stated, "Exports of koi fish to China will resume after undergoing quarantine and other procedures."

China banned imports of Japanese seafood after Japan discharged contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in August last year, and subsequently effectively blocked imports of ornamental koi fish by halting the renewal of quarantine facility approvals within Japan. In 2022, Japan's koi fish exports amounted to 6.3 billion yen (approximately 57.9 billion KRW), with China accounting for the largest share at 19%.