For the first time in more than two years, Japanese seafood has made its way back to Chinese shores, signaling a cautious thaw in a frosty trade relationship that has long been overshadowed by environmental concerns and political tensions. On Wednesday, November 5, 2025, six metric tons (6.6 tons) of scallops harvested in Hokkaido were shipped to China, according to statements from the Japanese government reported by Kyodo News and Bernama. This shipment marks the first Japanese seafood export to China since Beijing imposed a blanket ban in August 2023, following the controversial release of treated radioactive wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, speaking at a press conference on Friday, November 7, 2025, described the resumption as a “positive move.” He emphasized the significance of the development for Japan’s battered seafood industry, which had suffered a severe blow when China, its largest overseas market, abruptly halted imports. “The government takes the development as a positive move,” Kihara stated, as quoted by Kyodo News, calling on China to continue re-registering pending applications for Japanese seafood exporters.
The initial shipment of scallops represents only the beginning of renewed trade. Farm Minister Norikazu Suzuki announced that a further 600 kilograms of salted sea cucumbers from Aomori Prefecture in northeastern Japan are scheduled to be shipped to China on Monday, November 10, 2025. These early shipments are being watched closely by both governments, exporters, and local fishing communities—many of whom have faced significant financial hardship since the ban was instituted.
China’s ban, imposed in August 2023, was a direct response to Japan’s decision to discharge treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea. The plant, which suffered triple meltdowns after the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, has since struggled to manage massive volumes of contaminated water. The wastewater, collected in tanks and treated to remove most radioactive elements, was released gradually after receiving approval from both the Japanese government and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). According to the IAEA’s comprehensive report, the discharge met international safety standards, and Japanese officials maintained that its impact on the environment and human health would be negligible.
Despite these assurances, the issue quickly became a flashpoint in Japan’s relations with its neighbors, especially China and South Korea. The ban devastated Japan’s seafood industry, particularly exports of scallops and sea cucumbers, which had relied heavily on the Chinese market. The reputational damage to the region’s produce was significant, with domestic debates raging over the long-term impact on local communities and international trust in Japanese food safety.
Negotiations between Tokyo and Beijing continued for nearly two years, with both sides seeking a solution that would address environmental concerns while restoring economic ties. In June 2025, China announced that it would ease the ban and prepare for the resumption of imports, following repeated rounds of talks and diplomatic overtures. As reported by Kyodo News, the agreement stipulated that Japanese exporters must register their facilities with Chinese authorities and submit certificates of radioactivity inspection for every shipment. So far, only three facilities have been approved, with registrations for hundreds more still pending—a sign that, while progress has been made, the path to full normalization remains complicated.
Importantly, a separate ban remains in place for seafood from Fukushima and nine nearby prefectures, including Miyagi and Tokyo. This restriction, imposed in the immediate aftermath of the 2011 disaster, continues to limit the scope of Japan’s seafood exports. Kihara reiterated that Japan would persist in urging Beijing to lift these remaining bans and to resume imports of Japanese beef—a product that has been excluded from the Chinese market since the outbreak of mad cow disease in 2001. According to the Japanese government, China completed its domestic quarantine procedures for beef in July 2025, raising hopes that trade in this sector may also restart in the near future.
The resumption of Japanese seafood imports comes at a delicate moment in Sino-Japanese relations. The two neighbors have often found themselves at odds over territorial disputes and wartime history, and their economic ties have been further strained by the broader context of intensifying U.S.-China rivalry and global trade tensions. As Bernama observed, efforts to stabilize bilateral ties are now seen as particularly urgent, with both governments eager to avoid further escalation and to find common ground on issues of mutual interest.
For Japanese seafood producers and exporters, the reopening of the Chinese market offers a glimmer of hope after years of uncertainty. The initial shipments are modest in scale, but they represent a crucial first step toward rebuilding trust and restoring livelihoods. Still, significant challenges remain: exporters face rigorous registration and inspection requirements, and the shadow of the Fukushima disaster continues to loom large over Japan’s reputation for food safety.
Environmental groups and some neighboring countries remain wary of the long-term consequences of the Fukushima wastewater discharge, despite the IAEA’s endorsement of Japan’s approach. Domestically, Japanese officials have worked to reassure both the public and international partners that all necessary precautions are being taken. The gradual release of treated water, they argue, is essential to make space for new facilities needed for the ongoing decommissioning of the crippled plant and to avoid the risk of accidental spillage from overfilled tanks.
As the world watches Japan and China navigate this sensitive chapter, the stakes extend far beyond seafood. The outcome will likely influence broader debates about environmental responsibility, scientific transparency, and the ability of neighboring countries to resolve disputes through dialogue and cooperation. For now, at least, the sight of Hokkaido scallops arriving once again in Chinese ports is a sign that, even after years of tension, progress is possible when both sides are willing to engage.
While the full normalization of trade remains a work in progress, the recent breakthroughs offer a measure of optimism for Japanese exporters and a reminder that even the most intractable disputes can yield to patient negotiation and mutual interest.