Russia Joins China in Suspending Japanese Seafood Imports

Russia has suspended all imports of Japanese seafood, following China's lead, in response to Japan's release of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant. The move comes amid strained relations between Japan and Russia over the former's criticism of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russia's agricultural regulatory body, Rosselkhoznadzor, stated that the ban would remain in place until comprehensive information confirming the safety of Japanese seafood is provided. Japan has called the ban unjust and without scientific basis, urging Russia to reverse its decision. China had previously banned all Japanese seafood imports over the wastewater release, accusing Japan of treating the sea like a "sewer."