The united states has lifted all the restrictions imposed on import of Japanese food. These restrictions were applied after the unfortunate nuclear event in Fukushima Prefecture in the year 2011. European union also plans to ease the similar restrictions.
Katsunobu Kato, Chief Cabinet Secretary said: “welcomes the U.S. decision made on the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, which will further show the reconstruction of disaster-stricken areas to the international community.”
As a result of the United States’ decision on Sept. 21, the number of countries and regions with such import restrictions is reduced to 14, including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea. The United States had lifted its ban on Japanese foods incrementally. Currently, the remaining 100 items, produced in 14 prefectures, are no longer restricted. In Fukushima Prefecture, rice, mushrooms, edible wild plants, and leafy vegetables were grown, as well as shiitake mushrooms grown on raw wood in Tohoku and Kanto. All these products are now eligible to be imported into the US. Beginning Oct. 10, the EU will ease import restrictions on mushrooms produced in Japan, the EU announced on Sept. 20.
Officials from Japan’s agriculture ministry provided an explanation of how their domestic food inspection system ensured the safety of products to their American counterparts.
After Hong Kong and China, the U.S. imported food, agricultural, and marine products worth 118.8 billion yen ($1.1 billion) in 2020, the third most of any country or region. In 2020, Japanese products were exported to the EU worth 48.8 billion yen.
