Japanese Diet member Kishi Nobuo says he hopes to see Taiwan delay or abandon the implementation of new rules on food imports from certain Japanese prefectures.
Kishi was speaking during a meeting with opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers on Friday.
Taiwan has banned imports of food from five Japanese prefectures affected by the Fukushima nuclear disaster since 2011. New regulations set to go into effect on May 15 would required that Japanese food products bear a certificate of origin and a radiation testing certificate.
Kishi said that food products from the five prefectures covered by the ban have not shown excessive levels of radiation. He said that Japan is therefore unable to understand Taiwan’s decision to strengthen controls on food imports from the blacklisted areas.
In response, DPP legislator Tsai Chi-chang said that the peace of mind of Taiwanese consumers must come first. Tsai said that Japan must provide data demonstrating the safety of its food products and work with Taiwan on strengthening source control before Taiwan can consider relaxing its regulations.