The Japanese government has begun work to allocate more than ¥20 billion to support fisheries and other businesses in response to China’s decision to suspend imports of Japanese seafood, with the funds being in addition to ¥80 billion previously designated for similar purposes.
China banned all imports of seafood from Japan after treated water began to be released from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
This new support has been reported in Japanese media, with news outlets stating the government wants the country to break away from its dependence on the Chinese market by encouraging Japanese businesses to develop new export destinations.
The expectation is that the plan, which will use reserve funds, will be announced soon, but one anticipated specific measure is to support Japanese scallops, which were largely exported to China for processing for domestic consumption or for re-export to the United States and other countries.
It was also reported that the government plans to promote business matching through the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), and to develop export destinations through online sales and other means. It also plans to purchase scallops and other products for temporary storage.
The government had already established a fund totalling ¥80 billion to be used for the temporary purchase and storage of frozen marine products by fishermen’s cooperatives and other organisations in anticipation of damage caused by rumors over the release of treated water into the ocean.
