The Japanese government said Tuesday it has submitted a document to the WTO protesting China's blanket seafood import ban following the release of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant.
At a regular press conference, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, the top government spokesman, said the document dated Monday has been distributed to members of the World Trade Organization.
China notified the WTO, which is the body that oversees the rules of international trade, on Thursday of its emergency import ban, Matsuno said, prompting Japan to lodge its protest.
The document argues China's import suspension is "totally unacceptable," adding Tokyo will continue to ask Beijing to "immediately repeal its measure."
Matsuno said Japan has demanded China review the import ban based on the rules of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership trade agreement, to which both Tokyo and Beijing are signatories.
On Aug. 24, Japan started discharging the treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean despite opposition from the local fishing industry and China. The plant was badly damaged by a devastating earthquake and tsunami in March 2011.
Japan and China have been at odds over the safety of the water release, further straining their already difficult relationship, while the Kishida administration has pledged to provide 100.7 billion yen ($729.1 million) in aid to support the fishery industry.
Tokyo has claimed the water is safe as most radionuclides except tritium have been removed through a purification process.
China, however, has urged Japan to halt discharging what it calls "nuclear-contaminated water."
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