Statement by the Consul General on food safety

Dear Friends,

I would like to update you on Japan’s progress regarding the safety of food products in the Tohoku region. The following points highlight the emphasis on consistent testing and regulations upheld by the Japanese government and its prefectures, and the revival of the region as it makes a strong return to the global market.

• Japan’s standard limits for radioactive substances are one of the strictest in the world, ensuring a high level of food safety.
• No products are sent to market that are over these standard limits, and the lifting of restrictions is only after passing stringent criteria.
• Products undergo thorough inspection and monitoring during each process of production, manufacturing and distribution, respectively. The results are transparent and made available to the public.
• In particular, inspection results from 2015 show that all bags of rice tested in Fukushima prefecture were under the standard limit.
• The percentage of Marine Fishery products above the standard limit has been in consistent decline and has fallen to 0% since April 2015.
• Countries are recognizing the safety of Japanese food products ensured by its rigorous standards, and have thus eased their import restrictions, 19 countries lifting restrictions completely.
• The IAEA acknowledges that the systems and procedures Japan has in place are appropriate, and that the food supply chain is effectively under control.

As you can see, there is a substantive decline in the percentage of products in excess of standard limits. The region has revitalized their food production and distribution patterns as responsible participants in the global market.
On behalf of the Government of Japan, I extend my sincere gratitude to the international community, including the United States and notably the people of the Pacific Northwest, for all their support. We hope you will have the opportunity to experience the revitalization firsthand, and enjoy the quality of produce the region has to offer. I appreciate your continued interest in the Tohoku Region and hope to keep you informed of further developments. For more information, in both English and Japanese, please visit the following websites:

• http://www.maff.go.jp/j/export/e_info/hukushima_kakukokukensa.html
• http://www.reconstruction.go.jp/topics/main-cat15/nuclear/gensiryokusaigai_hukkou.html

 
Sincerely,

Masahiro Omura
Consul General of Japan in Seattle