Russia Considers Banning Japanese Seafood Imports Alongside China over Fukushima Concerns

Russia is considering joining China in banning Japanese seafood imports following Japan's release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea. The Russian food safety watchdog, Rosselkhoznadzor, has discussed the issue with its Chinese counterparts and is seeking talks with Japan. Russia, one of China's major seafood suppliers, is concerned about the potential risks of radiation contamination and will make a final decision after negotiations with Japan. So far this year, Russia has imported 118 tonnes of Japanese seafood. Japan maintains that the released water is safe, having been treated to remove most radioactive elements except tritium, and diluted to internationally accepted levels before being released.