China to relax restrictions on Japanese food imports

China is set to ease import restrictions on food from Japan, which were imposed after the disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in March this year.

Although import restrictions will be lifted on most products including processed foods, sake and seasonings, the ban will remain in place for foods imported in small quantities such as meat, fruit and other perishables.

The ban on food imports from Miyagi, Fukushima and eight other prefectures will also continue.

The food items that can be imported have to come with certificates of origin and the formats of the document are still being finalised between the two countries.

In 2010, Japanese food exports to China were valued at $641.1m; key exports included fish, seafood and processed products.