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BOOKLET to Provide Basic Information Regarding Health Effects of Radiation (6th edition)
Chapter 8 Radioactive Materials in Foods 8.7 Import Measures by Other Countries

Outline of Lifting and Easing of Food Import Measures by Other Countries and Regions after the TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi NPS Accident

Outline of Lifting and Easing of Food Import Measures by Other Countries and Regions after the TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi NPS Accident_Figure

Against import measures imposed by countries and regions all over the world in response to the accident at Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO)'s Fukushima Daiichi NPS, the government of Japan has made all-out efforts, such as approaches by the Prime Minister and other ministers utilizing meetings, international conferences, and other diplomatic opportunities, and active information provision in multiple languages by relevant ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of the Environment. More specifically, the fact that the safety of Japanese foods is secured is explained as follows: (i) Detected radioactive concentrations are below the standard limits for all major agricultural and livestock products that were produced through thorough cultivation/feeding management and are being distributed in Japan (p.75 of Vol. 2, “Changes in Inspection Results for Rice (Incl. Inspection of All Rice Bags)”; p.78 of Vol. 2, “Changes in Inspection Results for Vegetables, Fruits and Beans”; p.83 of Vol. 2, “Changes in Inspection Results for Livestock Products”; and p.88 of Vol. 2, “Changes in Inspection Results for Fishery Products”); (ii) Wild mushrooms and others with radioactive concentrations exceeding the standard limits are all collected and will never be distributed in the market (p.86 of Vol. 2, “Changes in Inspection Results for Mushrooms, Edible Wild Plants and Wild Bird and Animal Meat”). As a result of such efforts by the government of Japan, regulatory measures have been eased or lifted by many countries. The number of countries or regions imposing measures has decreased from 55 immediately after the accident to 6.

Following the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea, China imposed a total ban on imports of Japanese fishery products in August 2023, and Hong Kong and Macau suspended imports of fishery products, etc. from ten prefectures in Japan. In October, Russia joined China's restrictive measures against supply of fisheries products from Japan.

  • Included in this reference material on February 28, 2018
  • Updated on March 31, 2025
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