The South Korean government is intensifying efforts to address seafood safety concerns. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
TOKYO, Dec. 26 (Korea Bizwire) – On December 25, it was reported that the Japanese government is actively working to broaden its exports of scallops, redirecting its focus to South Korea.
This move comes in response to China’s comprehensive ban on Japanese seafood imports, triggered by the release of contaminated water (referred to as “treated water” by the Japanese government) from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in August.
Kyodo News revealed that the Japanese government conducted a ministerial meeting, revising its export strategy to target South Korea and the European Union (EU) as new markets for scallops. This strategic shift is necessary as China has closed its doors to Japanese scallops due to concerns about polluted water discharge.
While Japan’s overall 2025 scallop export target remains at 65.6 billion yen (approximately 600 billion won), specific export objectives for individual countries and regions have been established.
The new targets include 4.1 billion yen (approximately 37.5 billion won) for South Korea, representing 6.3% of total exports, 4.5 billion yen for the EU, 2.4 billion yen for Thailand, and 500 million yen for Vietnam.
China’s embargo on Japanese seafood has significantly impacted the industry, particularly the scallop exports that constituted over half of Japan’s total seafood exports as of 2022. South Korea, since September 2013, has also imposed a ban on seafood imports from eight Japanese prefectures, including Fukushima.
Moreover, four months after the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea commenced, 130 cases of compensation claims have been filed in Japan.
Fishermen and seafood processors, affected by the polluted water, are seeking compensation. Notably, scallops have emerged as a prominent category among these claims, given their substantial export volume and Japan’s reliance on the Chinese market.
According to Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries data, scallops accounted for more than 20% of Japan’s 387.3 billion yen worth of seafood exports last year, with China alone accounting for over half of the scallop exports.
Japan’s Ministry of the Environment said that it plans to reduce the frequency of seawater analysis around the Fukushima plant during non-discharge periods from once a week to once a month. However, during discharge periods, the analysis results will be released twice a month.
Conversely, the South Korean government is intensifying efforts to address seafood safety concerns. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has decided to increase seafood safety inspections by 11%, conducting 21,000 inspections next year. The number of survey items will also expand to 195, including seven new species and banned substances.
On December 25, South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans, Maritime Affairs, and Fisheries announced the establishment of a 2024 seafood safety investigation promotion plan to ensure a secure seafood production and supply environment that instills confidence in consumers.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
