China halts imports of koi fish from Japan

THE nation’s koi breeders lost their biggest export market after China did not renew the licences it had awarded to numerous farms there.

The last of the licences expired in October, and Chinese authorities did not offer an explanation over the non-renewals, according to media reports.

In the past, China had awarded licences – valid for three years – to 15 farms in Japan, reported The Asahi Shimbun daily.

“We have heard no explanations from the Chinese side on the latest development,” a Japanese government official was quoted by the paper as saying.

“It appears more likely than not, however, that China is harassing us over the release of treated water.”

In 2023, Japan released treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean.

Japan seeks new export channels in Europe and South-East Asia. — The Straits Times/ANN