A former senior United Nations official, Kiyotaka Akasaka, has suggested that Japan should bring China to the World Trade Organization (WTO) following China’s decision to ban imports of Japanese fishery products. This ban was enacted in response to the release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
Akasaka proposes that Japan could use a WTO complaint as a “tactical move” to encourage China to reconsider its punitive measures, which Japan argues lack scientific justification. He emphasizes that Tokyo should also utilize international platforms, such as the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York, where Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and new Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa can advocate for the safety of the water discharged from the Fukushima Daiichi plant in northeastern Japan. These efforts aim to enhance global awareness and understanding of the situation.
In an interview, Akasaka highlighted that even after initiating a formal complaint with the WTO, Tokyo could engage in bilateral negotiations with Beijing, as such talks form the foundation of the WTO dispute settlement mechanism. The objective is to resolve the issue through diplomatic means.
Japan’s consideration of WTO action reflects its determination to address the seafood import ban and protect its interests in the ongoing dispute with China.