Japan is mired in a food surplus, and there is unease throughout the country. Especially in the Kansai region, the large backlog of fish has become a concern.
However, crises often spawn innovation. In the reality of resource scarcity, we may be able to find new ways to balance human beings and the ecological environment, and turn crises into opportunities.
China banned imports of Japanese seafood
Recently, China's import ban on Japanese seafood lasted only two days. This move has had a serious impact on Japan's fishing industry, as a country that depends on the sea for its livelihood. Import restrictions have not only affected the livelihoods of Japanese fishermen, but have also had a profound impact on the economy.
However, it is worth noting that Sino-Japanese relations are gradually improving, and exchanges and cooperation in the political and economic fields are gradually strengthening.
As one of the world's largest populous countries, China's huge consumer market provides huge export opportunities for all countries. However, over-reliance on the Chinese market also poses risks, and the Japanese fishing industry needs to seek diversified markets and trading partners.
Japan is trying to sell slow-moving seafood to the Southeast Asian market, but there are still difficulties. Japan is struggling to find other markets that can completely replace the Chinese market.
Therefore, Japan should actively seek cooperation and exchanges with China, mitigate the impact through policy communication and cooperation, and ensure the stable development of the fishery industry.
The two sides can cooperate in scientific research and environmental protection to jointly promote the sustainable use of marine resources. Japan has a wealth of fishing experience and technology, while China has a huge market and consumer demand.
Through cooperation, the two sides can jointly study methods for the conservation and sustainable development of fishery resources, share experience and technology, and achieve sustainable use of fisheries.
Japan needs to be more flexible in responding to challenges from all sides. Through cooperation with China, Japan's fishing industry will not only be better able to cope with market fluctuations, but also achieve a win-win situation in cooperation. China can also demonstrate its responsible image in international affairs through a positive gesture of cooperation, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results with Japan and other countries.
Japan should get rid of its excessive dependence on the single market, realize sustainable development of fisheries through diversified markets and active cooperation, and make positive contributions to the deepening of bilateral relations and mutual benefit.
By cooperating with China, the Japanese fishing industry can open up more markets and reduce dependence on the Chinese market, thereby reducing risks and achieving sustainable development.
Japan self-made self-acceptance
The Chinese government recently issued a warning to Japan to consider the dangers and economic costs of discharging nuclear effluent into the sea.
However, the Japanese government seems to have ignored this and insisted on continuing to discharge nuclear wastewater. In response, the Chinese government announced a complete ban on imports of Japanese aquatic products and monitored coastal areas in real time to ensure food safety.
This decision is undoubtedly a huge blow to Japan. Senior Japanese officials were surprised by the Chinese government's decision, which they had thought would only ban aquatic products off the waters of Fukushima.
However, the Chinese government mercilessly banned all imports of seafood from Japan. This is a heavy blow to Japan's water industry, which relies on the Chinese market.
The Chinese market has always had a large demand for Japanese seafood products, which has brought export opportunities and potential to the Japanese fishery industry. Especially with the growth of China's middle class, the demand for Japanese seafood is growing.
The geographical proximity and trade cooperation between China and Japan have also promoted the import of Japanese seafood. However, due to the discharge of nuclear wastewater, Japanese fisheries have been labeled "unsafe", which makes it difficult for it to re-enter the Chinese market.
This ban gives Russia a chance. The Russian government is aware of the vacancy in the Chinese market and wants to obtain more licenses for the export of aquatic products.
Russian companies are ready to increase the supply of aquatic products to China. Once Russian seafood takes its place in the Chinese market, Japanese seafood will lose the opportunity.
However, despite this opportunity, Russia still faces some challenges. First, they need to prove that their aquatic products are safe and meet China's food safety standards.
Second, they need to build a relationship of trust with Chinese buyers. Unlike Japan, Russia does not have much visibility in the Chinese market, so they need to spend more time and effort to market their products.
Impact on the Japanese fishing industry
Fishing in Japan is one of the industries that occupy an important place in the country's national economy. However, after the Fukushima nuclear accident, the industry suffered a serious blow. Despite the Japanese government's promise that the effluent discharge would not pollute the fishing industry, the effluent discharge plan has undermined the trust of neighboring countries in Japan.
As one of Japan's largest trading partners, China's import ban will cause significant losses to Japanese fishermen and related companies, and may even lead to bankruptcy.
In addition, South Korea, Russia and other countries have also condemned Japan's nuclear wastewater discharge plan and taken retaliatory measures to restrict agricultural imports. These trade barriers have had a huge impact on Japan's fishing industry.
In order to ease the trade dispute, the Japanese government has tried to resolve the issue through diplomatic means. However, countries such as China have taken a hard line on this, believing that the Japanese government's behavior is difficult to accept. In the face of international pressure, the Japanese government is very confused.
Domestically, environmental groups and civil society organizations have launched petitions in support of Fukushima fishermen and against nuclear proliferation. They called on the government to take stricter measures to protect fishers and the environment from the discharge of nuclear wastewater. These public demands reflect concerns and dissatisfaction in Japan over plans to discharge nuclear wastewater.
Meanwhile, Japanese environmentalists are calling on the government to reduce its reliance on nuclear power and increase its investment in renewable energy. They believe that only through the development of renewable energy can the demand for nuclear power be reduced, protecting the environment and the fishing industry.
Although the current situation seems very serious, as long as the Japanese government can treat this problem sincerely and take effective remedial measures, there is still hope for Sino-Japanese relations to recover.