Press Releases
Lifting of Import Restrictions on Japanese Food Products by the United Kingdom
June 29, 2022
- On June 29 (local time), the UK Parliament and the Welsh Parliament passed regulations, which came into force on the same day, lifting import restrictions on Japanese food products regarding radionuclides, which were introduced after the accident at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (originally introduced as an EU regulation and applied after the UK left the EU). On June 25, a similar regulation was passed by the Scottish Parliament and came into force. As a result, the import restrictions have been removed in the UK, with the exception of Northern Ireland, where EU rules continue to apply under agreements between the UK and the EU.
- The Government of Japan has strongly urged the UK Government to lift the restrictions through various opportunities, including the Japan-UK Summit meeting in May this year. The Government of Japan welcomes the fact that the UK Government reached this decision based on scientific evidence, as it will support the reconstruction of the affected areas.
- The Government of Japan will continue to work towards the early lifting of the remaining import restrictions in the EU and other countries and regions.