TOKYO, April 12, 2019 (AFP) – Japan Friday attacked an “extremely
regrettable” ruling by the World Trade Organization that upheld a ban by
South Korea on some seafood from Fukushima imposed after the 2011 nuclear
disaster.
The WTO’s highest court overturned an earlier judgement from 2018, handing
Seoul a final victory in a legal battle that has dragged on for years.
“Even though the ruling did not acknowledge that South Korea’s measures
comply with the WTO rules, it is extremely regrettable that Japan’s argument
was not approved,” said the foreign ministry in Tokyo.
“There is no change in Japan’s position of demanding South Korea lift all
the restriction measures, and we will pursue this via talks with South
Korea,” added the ministry in a statement.
Foreign Minister Taro Kono urged South Korea to “correct its policy” but
acknowledged that Japan had now run out of legal recourse.
Fearing radioactive contamination, Seoul imposed a partial ban on seafood
imports from the region after the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear
meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi plant.
Tokyo first took the row to the WTO in May 2015, requesting consultations
— the first step under the global trade body’s settlement system.
But talks broke down, prompting Japan to seek a WTO ruling in August 2015.
The WTO panel ruled in 2018 that South Korea should lift its ban but the
so-called appellate court quashed this, the final word on the subject.
According to Fukushima authorities, four countries and regions — China,
Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau — have maintained a ban on importing a broad
range of locally-produced foods.
South Korea, Singapore, the United States and the Philippines have partial
bans in place.
But the majority of other countries and regions — including the European
Union — have lifted bans on imports or allow imports on condition that a
certificate of inspection is attached.