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TOKYO — Taiwan has lifted an import ban on meals from Fukushima and 4 different prefectures, imposed within the wake of the 2011 accident on the Fukushima No.1 nuclear energy plant.
Taiwan was as soon as a serious buying and selling companion for Fukushima, accounting for almost 80% of the prefecture’s agricultural exports. The ban was lifted Feb. 21, although a number of merchandise, together with mushrooms, stay embargoed.
Meals producers have welcomed the information and are eager to regain a slice of the Taiwan market and increase their gross sales channels.
“As soon as once more, we are able to let the folks of Taiwan learn about Fukushima’s scrumptious rice,” mentioned Osamu Watanabe, 49, president of Nakamura Nojo farm, which grows Koshihikari rice in Aizubange within the prefecture. The farm started exporting rice in 2009, however was obliged to cease doing so after the nuclear accident.
Because of efforts to dispel misgivings following the catastrophe, home commerce steadily recovered. However rice costs have fallen amid the rise of the novel coronavirus, spurred by a decline in rice consumption as folks dine out much less continuously. In mild of those troublesome circumstances, information of the resumption of exports has been greeted with enjoyment of Fukushima, in addition to the 4 different affected prefectures: Ibaraki, Chiba, Tochigi and Gunma.
Following the accident on the plant operated by Tokyo Electrical Energy Firm Holdings, Inc., 55 international locations and areas slapped restrictions on the import of meals from the prefecture. To assist convey the protection of the prefecture’s agricultural merchandise, the Fukushima governor and different prefectural officers carried out a PR drive that included holding an abroad tasting occasion.
Partly helped by political concerns surrounding the Complete and Progressive Settlement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, 41 international locations and areas have thus far lifted import restrictions on meals merchandise from Fukushima.
Final Could, the prefectural authorities launched a “prefectural food-export coordinator” initiative, entrusting the growth of gross sales channels and different operations to personal companies. Earlier this 12 months, Anpogaki dried persimmons, a specialty of the prefecture, have been exported for the primary time to Dubai.
As of the top of December of the fiscal 12 months that ends in March, the prefecture had exported a document 332 tons of agricultural merchandise, greater than double the 152 tons exported in fiscal 2010.
Expectations are operating excessive inside the native agricultural business following Taiwan’s transfer, not least as a result of Taiwan was as soon as Fukushima’s largest buying and selling companion — previous to the 2011 calamity, the prefecture exported dozens of tons of peaches, apples and different fruits to Taiwan every year.
Yoshio Hishinuma, a 62-year-old peach farmer in Fukushima Metropolis, mentioned he was inspired by the event.
Social circumstances have modified for the reason that accident, and it stays to be seen whether or not prefectural merchandise will promote in Taiwan as they did earlier than. Japan Exterior Commerce Group (JETRO) Fukushima is at present coordinating with corporations within the prefecture with a watch to exhibiting their merchandise at Taiwan’s largest meals honest, scheduled for late June.
“We’ll do our utmost to clarify concerning the charms and security of the prefecture’s merchandise,” mentioned Yugo Yoshida, 44, director of JETRO Fukushima. “I hope the products’ repute will unfold from Taiwan to wider Chinese language communities.”
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