Japan may file a complaint against China at the WTO over its seafood import ban.

Japan has warned it will file a complaint against China at the WTO to reverse the ban on seafood imports, imposed after Tokyo discharged radioactive wastewater.

Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters today that Japan will take necessary actions in various ways to protest China's ban on seafood imports, including within the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

According to Minister of Economic Security Sanae Takaichi, filing a complaint with the WTO may be undertaken if diplomatic protests prove ineffective.

China imposed a ban on imports of seafood originating from all prefectures in Japan after Tokyo began discharging 1.34 million tons of treated nuclear wastewater into the sea on August 24. This water was used to cool the reactors at the Fukushima nuclear power plant during the double disaster of earthquake and tsunami in March 2011.

Tokyo and the International Atomic Energy Agency assert that the wastewater discharge plan is safe and that the tritium concentration in the wastewater is not harmful to humans, but this move has met with strong opposition from China. Beijing argues that the ban on seafood imports aims to "prevent food safety risks, protect the health of Chinese consumers, and ensure the safety of imported food."

A woman looks at the menu at a Japanese restaurant in Beijing, China, on August 29. Photo: AFP — A woman looks at the menu at a Japanese restaurant in Beijing, China, on August 29. Photo: *AFP*

Last year, Japan exported seafood worth 87.1 billion yen (US$600 million) to China, its top trading partner. Japan's total exports in 2022 reached nearly 100 trillion yen (over US$685 billion).

The statement by the Japanese official comes amid a surge in harassing calls from phone numbers with the Chinese country code +86, targeting businesses and public facilities. Many callers have been contacting government agencies, businesses, and schools in Japan to complain about the Fukushima wastewater discharge.

Japan's National Police said on August 29 that they had received 225 reports of harassing calls. The government is seeking assistance from telecommunications companies to block these calls.

"It is regrettable and concerning that a large number of harassing calls may be coming from China," said Trade Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, adding that the government is gathering information about the boycott of Japanese products in China and will work with business leaders to address the situation.

China has not yet responded to these reports.

On August 27, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted a notice on its website urging Japanese citizens in China to avoid speaking Japanese too loudly and to be mindful of their surroundings when visiting embassies or consulates. Japanese citizens in China were also advised to stay away from any protests against Tokyo's dumping of wastewater into the sea and to refrain from photographing such events.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry also urged Beijing to take prompt and appropriate action to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said today that Beijing "always protects the safety, rights and legitimate interests of foreigners in China in accordance with the law."

Huyen Le (According to Reuters , AFP )

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