• US military buys lots of Japanese seafood to avoid ban from China.
• China cited food safety concerns as the basis for its ban.
• The safety of the water release that began in August from the Fukushima plant.

The United States has initiated a bulk purchase of Japanese seafood to supply its military stationed in Japan. U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, disclosed this initiative during a Reuters interview, emphasizing the need to explore ways to counteract China’s ban, which he characterized as a component of “economic wars” in response to China’s ban on Japanese seafood following the release of treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant.

China, which was previously the largest purchaser of Japanese seafood, cited food safety concerns as the basis for its ban.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed the safety of the water release that began in August from the Fukushima plant, which had been damaged by a tsunami in 2011. G7 trade ministers recently called for the immediate repeal of bans on Japanese food products.

Emanuel noted that the seafood purchase would establish a long-term contract between the U.S. armed forces and Japanese fisheries and cooperatives.

He also emphasized that one effective strategy against China’s economic coercion was to offer aid and support to the affected country or industry.

China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, emphasized the diplomatic responsibility to foster friendship between countries rather than engaging in criticism and provocations responding to Emanuel’s comments.

The initial seafood purchase involves nearly a metric ton of scallops, a small fraction of the over 100,000 tons of scallops Japan exported to mainland China in the previous year.

Emanuel disclosed that the seafood procurement would expand to include various types over time and would be used to feed soldiers in military facilities and sold in military base shops and restaurants. Previously, the U.S. military had not purchased local seafood in Japan.

Furthermore, the U.S. is in discussions with Japanese authorities to facilitate the redirection of locally-caught scallops to U.S.-registered processors.

Emanuel, a former White House chief of staff under President Barack Obama, has made candid statements about China’s various issues in recent months. He rejects the “hawkish” label, considering himself a “realist.”

He stressed the importance of honesty and realism in international relations, noting that it doesn’t contradict the pursuit of stability and understanding.

Emanuel also highlighted the economic challenges faced by China, exacerbated by a leadership decision to disengage from international systems.

He pointed out youth unemployment and issues like unfinished housing projects in major cities. China’s response to the recent death of former Premier Li Keqiang, a reformist sidelined by President Xi Jinping, is being monitored closely as an indicator of China’s evolving policies and values.

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