Japan PM Kishida eats ‘safe and delicious’ Fukushima fish
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida eats seafood from Fukushima Prefecture at a luncheon meeting, in Tokyo, on Aug 30. PHOTO: REUTERS
TOKYO - Japan’s Prime Minister ate what he called “safe and delicious” fish from Fukushima on Wednesday, days after treated water was released from the area’s crippled nuclear plant into the Pacific.
A video clip showing Mr Fumio Kishida eating Fukushima fish, published on social media by his office, comes after China banned all seafood imports from its neighbour following the discharge that began on Aug 24.
“This is very good,” Mr Kishida said as he chewed on a slice of flounder sashimi, calling on viewers to enjoy “safe and delicious” Japanese seafood to support the north-eastern region.
The clip, overlaid with cheery music, showed the leader joined by three other ministers in his office for sashimi, boiled pork, fruits, rice and vegetables from the Fukushima region.
It was designed to promote products from the area 12 years after Fukushima was devastated by a huge earthquake and tsunami that triggered one of the world’s worst nuclear disasters.
Even before the water release, many in Japan’s fishing industry were worried about what it would do to the reputation of the country’s seafood domestically and abroad.
The discharge, equivalent to more than 500 Olympic swimming pools, is expected to take decades and will allow engineers to start removing dangerous radioactive fuel from three wrecked reactors.
Bricks and eggs have been thrown at Japanese schools and consulates in China, and Tokyo has advised its nationals there to keep a low profile. Businesses in Japan have also been swamped with nuisance calls from Chinese numbers.
Mr Kishida was expected to visit Tokyo’s main Toyosu fish market on Thursday to sample more Fukushima fish.
Japan has demanded that China – its biggest market for fish – drop its ban on seafood imports while warning it will complain to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Mr Kishida’s government is reportedly planning a package of financial aid for the fishing industry while also helping it find new export markets.
Mr Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, reiterated on Wednesday that the water being released was safe according to the United Nations watchdog.
In a show of support for Japan, the US Ambassador to Japan, Mr Rahm Emanuel, was due to visit the Fukushima area on Thursday and eat locally caught seafood. AFP
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