Fukushima: US buys Japan seafood to counter China ban

BBC News:

The US military in Japan has started to bulk buy the country’s seafood in response to a Chinese import ban after the release of treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant.

The US ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said Washington may also look into other ways to help counter China’s ban.

He described it as part of Beijing’s “economic wars”.

China, which was the biggest buyer of Japanese seafood, said it barred imports due to safety fears.

Last year Japan exported more than 100,000 tons of scallops to China. The first purchase under the US scheme is a fraction of that – just under a metric ton of the shellfish.

Mr Emanuel told the Reuters news agency it is the start of long-term contract that will extend over time to all types of seafood.

The purchases will be used to feed military personnel and be sold in shops and restaurants on military bases in Japan.

“It’s going to be a long-term contract between the US armed forces and the fisheries and co-ops here,” Mr Emanuel said.

“The best way we have proven in all the instances to kind of wear out China’s economic coercion is come to the aid and assistance of the targeted country or industry,” he added.