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Carrie Lam
Hong KongHealth & Environment

Hong Kong to reach decision by November on lifting Japanese food import ban over Fukushima disaster

News comes after city’s leader in March declined request to remove restrictions, citing public safety

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Workers inspecting lettuce at a plant in Fukushima, Japan. Hong Kong currently has a ban on food imports coming from the prefecture. Photo: Handout
Christy Leung

Hong Kong is considering lifting a ban on Japanese food imports after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, with a decision to be reached by November when the city’s top official visits the country, the Post has learned.

In March, Japanese foreign minister Taro Kono met Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor in Hong Kong to request the removal of restrictions on food imports imposed after the 2011 accident. But Lam expressed reservations at the time, citing public safety.

The ban covers fresh produce and milk from Fukushima and four neighbouring prefectures, while fresh produce from the rest of the country is subjected to radiation tests by Hong Kong authorities.

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An earthquake seven years ago led to a tsunami damaging nuclear reactors at a plant in Fukushima, sparking fears of radiation leaks.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam meets visiting Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Kono. Photo: Information Services Department
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam meets visiting Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Kono. Photo: Information Services Department
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On Saturday, Japanese news agency Kyodo reported that Lam told visiting members of the Japan-Hong Kong Parliamentarian League earlier this month she was exploring measures to scrap food import restrictions.

It also stated that Lam hoped to make the decision by November 1, when she is expected to head to Tokyo for a Hong Kong-related forum and meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
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