Japanese restaurant owners in Hong Kong brace for Fukushima seafood ban

Japanese restaurant owners in Hong Kong are grappling with a looming ban on seafood imports from 10 Japanese prefectures because of Tokyo’s plan to release treated water from the crippled Fukushima plant into the sea from Aug. 24.
Japan gave the date on Tuesday for discharging the wastewater after first announcing the move in July. Approved by the U.N. nuclear watchdog, Japan’s plan has faced opposition at home and abroad over concerns of food safety. The country says releases will be safe and meet global standards.
Hong Kong is Japan’s second largest market, after mainland China, for agricultural and fisheries exports. Japanese restaurants are popular in the special administrative region and Japan is a favourite holiday destination for many residents.