Press Releases
Protest against the Russian Federation regarding the Decision to Strengthen Import Control Measures for Japanese Aquatic Products related to the Discharge of ALPS Treated Water into the Sea
October 16, 2023
On October 16, Mr. KITAGAWA Katsuro, Director-General, Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Science Department and Mr. KITAGAWA Tsuyoshi, Director, Japan-Russia Economic Affairs Division made the following protests to Mr. Gennadii OVECHKO, Charge d'Affaires ad interim and Mr. Sergey ELISEEV, Counsellor respectively regarding the decision to strengthen import control measures for Japanese aquatic products by the Russian Federation related to the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea.
- Japan has been explaining the safety of ALPS treated water and Japanese aquatic products to the international community, including the Russian Federation, in a highly transparent manner and in a sincere manner, based on scientific evidence.
- Japanese side has responded in good faith and in a sincere manner based on the Russian side's concerns, even in the dialogue on October 10, which was suddenly requested by the Russian side, and in the provision of information by the deadline of October 16, which was unilaterally set by the Russian side.
- In contrast, the strengthening of import control measures for Japanese aquatic products without scientific evidence is unjustified and goes against the international trend to relax and lift the import restrictions on Japanese food products. The decision by the Russian Federation is extremely regrettable, and Japanese side strongly urge its withdrawal.
- Japan will continue to strongly call for action based on scientific evidence.