INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Russia on Monday followed its ally China in suspending all Japanese seafood imports over Tokyo's release of wastewater from the crippled
"joining China's provisional restrictive measures on the import of fish and seafood products from Japan as of Oct
16, 2023" as a "precautionary measure."It said the restrictions would remain in place "until the necessary exhaustive information to confirm
the safety of seafood produce ..
is forthcoming."The Japanese government, which has called China's ban political and unscientific, urged Russia to reverse its decision,
calling the move an "unjust" step "without any scientific basis."The Japanese foreign ministry said it has explained the safety of the water
release and complied with Russian requests this month for a meeting and further information about the subject."The decision by the Russian
side is extremely regrettable, and we strongly request that it be withdrawn," the Japanese foreign ministry said in a statement.In 2011,
three reactors at the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear facility in northeastern Japan went into meltdown following a massive earthquake and tsunami
that killed around 18,000 people.Twelve years on, Japan began in August to discharge treated contaminated water from the stricken plant into
the Pacific Ocean.China in response banned all Japanese seafood imports over the "selfish" and "irresponsible" release, accusing Japan of
treating the sea like a "sewer."Big marketJapan insists the operation is safe, a view backed by the International Atomic Energy Agency
from near the site this week.Beijing says Tokyo has not proved the authenticity and accuracy of the nuclear wastewater data, nor that the
ocean discharge of the water is harmless to the marine environment and human health.Before the ban, China was Japan's biggest market for
fish, accounting for more than $500 million worth of exports in 2022.The Japanese government has promised additional aid for the fishing
sector, while seeking to boost exports to Europe and elsewhere.Russia is much less important for Japan, accounting for around 260 million
Japan.540 Olympic poolsBut the suspension is symbolically important as China and Russia grow closer in the wake of the Ukraine war.Japan's
close ally, the United States, has made a point of backing Tokyo, with the US ambassador to Japan publicly eating fish from the Fukushima
area.Japan banned imports of Russian lumber and vodka after the Ukraine invasion but marine products were exempted.In all, Tokyo intends to
seawater.Japan says tritium levels are within safe limits and below that released by nuclear power stations in their normal operation,
including in China.The water release is aimed at making space to begin removing the highly dangerous radioactive fuel and rubble from the
