Taiwan plans to lift the remaining import restrictions on Japanese food products that were imposed after the 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
The health ministry said on Tuesday that it will allow imports of wild bird and animal meat and mushrooms from Fukushima and 4 other prefectures. It began soliciting public comments on the matter for 60 days.
After the accident, Taiwan stopped importing all food items except alcoholic drinks from Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma and Chiba prefectures.
The restrictions were eased in February 2022, but the suspension of game meat and mushrooms imports remained in place.
Japanese officials urged Taiwan to lift the restrictions, saying that the safety of the food has been scientifically proven.
The health ministry says all food items imported from the five prefectures since February 2022 passed tests for radioactive materials that met Taiwan’s standards.
If the remaining restrictions are lifted, it means Taiwan can basically import all Japanese food products.
However, the health officials say items from the five prefectures must still be accompanied by test results for radioactive materials, and will be subject to inspections in Taiwan.
They also say all food items from Japan will continue to be required to carry certificates of origin.