Hong kong: If Tokyo releases treated radioactive wastewater into the sea, Hong Kong will immediately ban the import of aquatic products from Fukushima and other Japanese prefectures, a top official in the city said on Wednesday.

Although the wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant will be treated before being discharged into the Pacific Ocean, any errors in the process, according to Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan, will have a significant impact on ecology and food safety. The UN-approved but divisive plan by Japan to release the treated water gradually is what has people worried.

At a press conference, he told reporters, "Our assessment shows prefectures near Fukushima have higher risks, so we are now taking a responsible way for our residents."

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Tokyo, Fukushima, Chiba, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Gunma, Miyagi, Niigata, Nagano, and Saitama are the other nine affected areas, he continued.

Three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant melted down and released a lot of radiation after a significant earthquake and tsunami struck in March 2011. Early in 2024, the tanks holding the water used to cool the reactor cores since the accident will be full.

The treated water, which is still marginally radioactive, will be released gradually in 2021 after being diluted to what the Japanese government deems to be safe levels. 

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According to Japanese officials, the water that is currently kept in the plant's 1,000 tanks needs to be removed in order to prevent unintentional leaks in the event of an earthquake and to make room for the plant's decommissioning.

The UN nuclear agency approved the plan last week, stating that it complies with international standards and would have a minimal impact on the environment and public health.

Local fishing communities, however, have vehemently opposed the plan due to concerns about safety and brand damage. Concerns about security have also been expressed by neighbouring nations such as South Korea, China, and Pacific Island countries.

The import of some goods, including fruits and vegetables, from Fukushima is currently prohibited in Hong Kong. If they have a radiation certificate, other products from there, like meat and poultry, are also welcome.

Numerous food imports from the four Japanese prefectures of Gunma, Ibaraki, Tochigi, and Chiba that are immediately south of Fukushima will also need to be accompanied by a radiation certificate.

Tse stated that the government will be data-driven and scientific in regard to the upcoming policies that were announced on Wednesday. The government will think about easing its restrictions if the environment is secure, he said.

In an earlier interview with Nikkei, Naoto Nakahara, deputy consul general at the Japanese Consulate in Hong Kong, claimed that the Hong Kong government was "trying to win brownie points from Beijing."

Without naming any specific individuals, Tse responded to the reported criticism by asserting that officials developed their policies in light of the circumstances in Hong Kong.

"Hong Kong has a high degree of autonomy," he declared.

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According to official data, the major food imports from Japan made up about 2% of Hong Kong's total food supply last year. Although there are many Japanese restaurants in Hong Kong, the city does not rely heavily on Japanese food products in terms of quantity. However, many residents enjoy Japanese cuisine.