Many Japanese fishermen have been against the release, fearing that it will undo years of efforts to improve the industry's image in the wake of the 2011 catastrophe. The water release has generated a fierce backlash from China, including a blanket ban on Japanese seafood imports. Before the water release, China was Japan's biggest export destination for seafood and Beijing's ban has people in the sector worried. We're hearing from our clients there that their customers aren't coming in any more, and that they are shunning Japanese fish," he said. "I have always been and still am proud of Japanese fish.

Source: New York Times September 04, 2023 13:39 UTC