Tokyo - Japan has informed the World Trade Organization (WTO) that it considers China's ban on Japanese seafood following the release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant to be "totally unacceptable," as stated by the Japanese foreign ministry on Monday.

In response to China's notification to the WTO on August 31 regarding its suspension of Japanese aquatic imports that commenced last month, Japan has expressed its intent to present its stance in relevant WTO committees. Additionally, Japan has urged China to promptly reverse this action.
Certain Japanese officials have indicated the potential for lodging a WTO complaint against China's ban on seafood imports. The US ambassador to Japan also mentioned last week that the United States would be supportive of such a move.

In a separate announcement made on Monday, Japan's foreign ministry disclosed that it has requested China to engage in discussions concerning the import ban related to Fukushima under the provisions of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade agreement.

The statement reads, "Japan hopes that China will engage in discussions with the Japanese side at the earliest convenience and reevaluate its measures in accordance with its obligations within the RCEP Agreement."