Fukushima Flounder Promotion Event Cancelled in Thailand Due to Consumers Concerns

March 12, 2018

Event promoting Fukushima fish cancelled

An event in Thailand promoting flounder from Fukushima has been cancelled amid concerns from consumers.

The event was being held at a Japanese restaurant and scheduled to run through the end of the month. The export of flounder caught in waters off Fukushima was resumed on March 1st for the first time since the 2011 nuclear accident.

The Fukushima prefectural government says a consumer group raised concerns about the safety of the fish. The group said the fish were caught in contaminated waters and dangerous to eat.

The group also reportedly demanded the Thai government announce the name of a local restaurant that sold the fish.

Consumers took to social media to voice their concerns.

Organizers say they cancelled the event to avoid confusion.

Nearly 130 kilograms of flounder have been exported from Fukushima to Thailand but close to half remains untouched. Exports are essentially halted.

A Fukushima government official said the prefecture will continue to promote the safety of the fish in hopes of once again resuming the exports.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20180313_03/

Fukushima governor rues cancellation

Fukushima Governor Masao Uchibori has called the cancellation “regrettable.”

He noted that Thai health authorities have said the flounder was rigorously screened and deemed safe. He also said the fish was favorably received at a local Japanese restaurant.

The head of a fisheries association in Fukushima said news of the cancellation came just as he felt pleased about the resumption of exports.

He said a robust screening system has been in place to ensure that the fish are safe.

He added that Thai consumers and environmental activists should be invited to Fukushima to witness safety procedures.

Meanwhile, a representative of a Thai environmental group told NHK that the names of local stores selling marine products from Fukushima should be made public. The group is critical of the Thai government’s handling of the issue.

The official said it is known that Japan has strict safety standards, but that trusting them is another matter. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20180313_09/

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