China, the biggest export market of Japanese seafood, now bans all of its import from Japan. Following Japan’s release of waste from the nuclear plant Fukushima Daiichi, wrecked by a tsunami 12 years ago, China swiftly imposed a ban on all seafood imports from Japan as a precaution against potential risks stemming from the discharge of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean.
Mr. Truong Dinh Hoe, the General Secretary of Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), commented on China’s import ban, emphasizing its psychological impact. Despite the absence of scientific evidence confirming that the treated wastewater from Japan’s nuclear facilities poses a threat to human health, the Chinese public might exhibit reluctance in consuming seafood, even domestically caught, from areas near Japan. Consequently, China’s demand for imported seafood, including from nations like Vietnam, could decrease due to this apprehension. The cautious sentiment extends to South Korea as well, where consumers are hesitant to consume locally caught seafood in proximity to Japan’s wastewater discharge zones.
The repercussions of Japan’s actions are reflected in reduced or ban on seafood imports from Japan by both China and Korea. These countries are compelled by market dynamics to seek alternative sources for their seafood supply, potentially turning to nations like Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia. Given China’s substantial population, any disruption in seafood supply prompts a shift to alternative sourcing, opening up a favorable opportunity for Vietnam to emerge as a prominent seafood supplier in the region, capitalizing on China’s suspension of Japanese seafood imports.
