US Military Starts Bulk Buying Japanese Seafood as Countermeasure to Chinese Import Ban
US Military begins long-term contract to buy local seafood for soldiers stationed in Japan; move seeks to offset economic impact of China's ban on Japanese seafood following the release of treated water from Fukushima nuclear plant.
- The US military has initiated a long-term contract to purchase bulk quantities of Japanese seafood in response to China's import ban consequent to Japan's release of treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant.
- US Ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, stated that these purchases will be used to supply US soldiers stationed in Japan and sold in base shops and restaurants. There are expectations that this action will alleviate the economic impacts of China's ban.
- The US' first seafood purchase under this contract consists of just under a metric ton of scallops, a small fraction compared to the over 100,000 tons of scallops Japan exported to China last year.
- While China, previously Japan's biggest seafood buyer, states their ban stems from food safety concerns, the US and the UN's nuclear watchdog endorse the safety of Japan's exposed treated water.
- Hong Kong, along with mainland China, has also imposed stringent restrictions on Japanese seafood imports and is not likely to lift it in the short term, despite lobbying efforts by Japan.
South China Morning Post 
BBC 
The Hill 
NBC News 
The Japan Times 
Reuters 
