(2) Dealing with the nuclear power plant accident

(Status of TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant)

The dispersion of radioactive materials resulting from the accident of TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant and the associated leakage of radioactive water discovered in July 2013 have substantially affected the fishing industry. The national government has decided on the basic policy on measures against the radioactive water in September 2013.

(Status of trial fishing operations off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture)

O Trial fishing operations off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture have been conducted by determining the species to be caught through discussions at the Fukushima Prefecture local fisheries reconstruction council, which consists of fishers, fishery operators, research institutes and administrative agencies, based on the inspection results of radioactive materials. As of the end of March 2014, trial fishing operations were conducted for 32 species.

(Monitoring of radioactive materials in fishery products of Fukushima Prefecture and neighboring prefectures)

☐ Through collaboration of the national government, prefectural governments concerned and related organizations, measures have been taken to prevent fishery products containing radioactive cesium that exceeds the standard limit from being placed on the market. In this manner, there is a framework to ensure that only safe fishery products are delivered to consumers.

[Framework of radioactive materials monitoring for fishery products]

## (Enhancing information provision to consumers)

O In order to prevent damage from harmful rumors, the results of monitoring of radioactive materials in fishery products have been published to consumers in an easy-to-understand manner.

The Fisheries Agency published a document on indication of the origin of fishery products produced in the East Japan Pacific on October 5, 2011, recommending that the section of the waters where the product was harvested and the name of the waters are to be clarified in the indication of the origin mainly for fresh fishery products harvested in the East Japan Pacific.

## (Efforts directed overseas)

Some countries and regions have tightened import regulations on Japanese agricultural, forestry and fishery products and foods due to the nuclear power plant accident. In response to this, the Japanese government has worked toward easing or lifting of such import regulations through provision of information on the radioactive materials monitoring results and safety measures, and visits to the monitoring sites. As a result, 11 countries have lifted import regulations (as of the end of March 2014).

South Korea has prohibited import of all fishery products produced in a total of eight prefectures including Fukushima Prefecture since September 9, 2013. In addition, the country introduced a measure whereby if even a trace amount of radioactive cesium or radioactive iodine is detected in fishery products produced in any other area, the inspection certificate for other radioactive nuclides will be additionally required. Japan has explained to South Korea its measures for ensuring the safety of fishery products, and has requested the country to lift these regulations.