29-8-2023 (TOKYO) In response to China’s ban on all seafood imports from Japan following the release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, Japan has threatened to take its case to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi announced that Japan will pursue “necessary action (on China’s aquatic product ban) under various routes, including the WTO framework.”
Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi also indicated that filing a WTO complaint could be considered if diplomatic protests to China prove ineffective.
These statements come amidst a wave of harassment calls to Japanese businesses and public facilities from phone numbers with the +86 Chinese country code. Many callers have expressed their grievances regarding the Fukushima water release. According to Jiji news, Japan’s National Policy Agency has received 225 reports of such harassment calls thus far. In response, the government is seeking assistance from telecommunications companies to block these calls.
The increasing number of landline phone users are now requesting the blocking of foreign numbers, leading companies like NTT Communications, KDDI, and SoftBank Corp to discuss measures in line with the government’s request.
Trade Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura expressed deep concern over the large volume of harassment calls believed to originate from China. He revealed that some calls were even reaching hospitals in Fukushima. Urging an immediate halt to the calls, Nishimura emphasized the importance of protecting human life.
The government is actively gathering information on reports of a potential boycott of Japanese products in China and plans to collaborate with business leaders to address the situation.
