When Japan began to release treated water from the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant into the ocean last week, China and Hong Kong were quick to ban seafood from Japan.
Even though tests of seawater from near Fukushima Prefecture conducted since the release have shown that tritium — the radioactive material that remains after the treatment process — is under detectable levels, opposition in neighboring countries, including China and South Korea, remains strong.
Yet Chinese and Hong Kong tourists visiting Japan largely seem unfazed about eating sushi and seafood in Japan — unlike their respective governments — following the water discharge, with many local seafood restaurants seeing little impact so far.