Japan, South Korea eye June 20 start to WTO consultation over import ban

09/06/2015 12:00 - 470 Views

TOKYO -- Japan and South Korea are discussing a start of around June 20 to bilateral talks at the World Trade Organization over Seoul's ban of Japanese fishery products, imposed after the March 2011 Fukushima meltdown.

South Korea banned imports of some such products from Fukushima, Miyagi, Ibaraki and five other prefectures after the nuclear disaster. The restriction was expanded in September 2013 to cover all fishery goods from those locations. Japan argues that the ban has no scientific basis and is pushing for it to be lifted.

In December 2014 and January 2015, South Korean experts measured radiation levels in the affected areas. They worked with Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority in February to examine fishery products and seawater and concluded that radiation throughout the region was below the levels specified in the import ban.

The talks will start in Geneva. If the two sides cannot reach an agreement within 60 days of the request for WTO consultation, an official complaint will be filed.

Source: Nikkei