Japan plans to appeal to Hong Kong to lift its ban on imports of Japanese foods from regions affected by nuclear accident two years ago, says Japanese government official

Nevin Barich

Nevin Barich

HONG KONG , August 15, 2013 () – Japan plans to appeal to Hong Kong to lift its ban on imports of Japanese foods from regions affected by the nuclear accident two years ago, a Japanese government official said Thursday on the opening day of an annual food fair.

As of last October, a total of 42 countries and regions have imposed some form of restriction on food imports from Japan as a result of the nuclear accident, according to Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

"There are seven prefectures in Japan which cannot export some of their products to Hong Kong, so we are trying to explain, persuade the government of Hong Kong to lift the ban," said Masayuki Yamashita, the director general of the ministry's food industry affairs bureau.

"I am confident that those products (that) are subject to the restriction will be treated as normal products," he said.

Yamashita said Japan plans to double its global food exports to US$10 billion by 2020.

A record 230 exporters are participating in the Food Expo this year, highlighting the territory's love for Japanese food, including seafood, sake, rice and tobacco.

Hong Kong is the world's top destination for Japan's food exports, consuming nearly 22 percent, or US$1 billion worth, of Japan's agricultural and seafood products last year, followed by the United States, Taiwan, mainland China and South Korea, according to ministry data.

Hong Kong's 2012 imports, however, were down 11.3 percent from the previous year.

(c) 2013 Kyodo News International, Inc.

* All content is copyrighted by Industry Intelligence, or the original respective author or source. You may not recirculate, redistrubte or publish the analysis and presentation included in the service without Industry Intelligence's prior written consent. Please review our terms of use.

Share:

About Us

We deliver market news & information relevant to your business.

We monitor all your market drivers.

We aggregate, curate, filter and map your specific needs.

We deliver the right information to the right person at the right time.

Our Contacts

1990 S Bundy Dr. Suite #380,
Los Angeles, CA 90025

+1 (310) 553 0008

About Cookies On This Site

We collect data, including through use of cookies and similar technology ("cookies") that enchance the online experience. By clicking "I agree", you agree to our cookies, agree to bound by our Terms of Use, and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. For more information on our data practices and how to exercise your privacy rights, please see our Privacy Policy.