Hong Kong rejects request to allow Japanese food imports from Fukushima

Chief executive of Hong Kong Carrie Lam has announced that restrictions on some post-Fukushima food imports coming from Japan will continue to be enforced for now.

In a meeting with Japan’s foreign minister Tāro Kōno, Lam rejected the request to lift the ban on food imports after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster in the interest of public safety.

Hong Kong banned the import of fresh produce and dairy from Fukushima and four surrounding neighbourhoods. Other fresh food imports from Japan are tested for radiation before entering the Hong Kong market.

Lam’s office said in a statement: “She emphasised that it is incumbent upon the [government] to safeguard public health and hence effective measures must be in place to ensure food safety and to maintain public confidence.”

“Under this premise, the Food and Health Bureau will maintain communication with the Japanese authorities to review the latest situation and adopt appropriate measures in relation to the import ban.”

Kōno is the first Japanese foreign minister to visit Hong Kong for negotiations since the region gained independence from British rule in 1997.  He reportedly visited the Aeon department store in Tai Koo and tried Fukishima-produced products such as rice, sake and ramen. These products were exempt from the ban as they are not fresh produce.

Kōno told NowTV: “It is scientifically proven it is very safe and those people from Hong Kong who come to Japan [are] already eating spinach and cucumbers from Fukushima. And I think Hong Kong people who have been to Japanese restaurants have eaten Fukushima vegetables and fruit. I would like to tell the Hong Kong people to come to Japan and enjoy the food in Japan.

Key importers and business leaders in Hong Kong have urged Lam to be cautious over allowing Japanese food imports from the affected area.

Chinese Manufacturers’ Association president Dennis Ng Wang-pun reaffirmed the need for proof that the radiation problem had been resolved before lifting the ban, saying:  “I think this is mainly a problem with the five prefectures’ economy. If the restriction is lifted, it would give businesses and residents here more choices.”

Wong Ting-kwong, a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong which represents the territory’s import and export sector, commented: “I think Lam has the political wisdom and common sense to handle the request. We have to make sure the products would not be contaminated with radiation, rather than taking whatever business opportunities are presented to us.”