China stopped importing Koi fish from Japan due to the Fukushima controversy

This may be part of Beijing's pressure on Japan over the release of processed radioactive water into the sea from the Fukushima nuclear plant. Sources said Beijing did not renew the license for a designated quarantine facility in Niigata Prefecture - which inspects Japanese Nishikigoi carp before exporting to China. This license expires at the end of October. Niigata is the birthplace of the Nishikigoi fish. Nishikigoi ornamental carp at Mariho Aquarium in Hiroshima city in western Japan – Photo: Kyodo Bilateral relations between the two countries remain tense over the release of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant that began in late August, prompting China to impose a ban on seafood imports from Japan. Japanese Nishikigoi carp have become popular overseas in recent years. Japan's exports of this fish in 2022 amounted to 6.3 billion yen ($41.7 million), doubling from a decade ago. According to Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, ...