The government of Hong Kong has announced that it will immediately ban the import of aquatic products from 10 prefectures in Japan if Tokyo discharges treated radioactive wastewater into the sea. The concern arises from Japan's plan to gradually release the treated water from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean. Hong Kong's Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Tse Chin-wan, stated that any errors in the treatment process could significantly impact ecology and food safety. The 10 affected territories include Tokyo, Fukushima, and Chiba. Last week, the U.N. nuclear agency endorsed Japan's plan, stating that it meets international standards and would have a negligible environmental and health impact. However, the plan has faced protests from local fishing communities and safety concerns from neighboring countries such as South Korea and China. Hong Kong already has restrictions on the import of products from Fukushima, and the new policies will be scientifically reviewed, with the possibility of relaxing restrictions if the situation is deemed safe.
Wed, 12 Jul 2023 09:50:50 GMT | ABC News