TOKYO, Sept. 21 — Japan’s Agriculture Minister Ken Saito has asked a top EU official to relax food import restrictions from regions hit by the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.
Saito met EU ambassador to Japan Viorel Isticioaia-Budura on Sept. 20, pressing the EU to ease strict rules on inspecting Japanese food imports based on a scientific perspective.
The request comes as the European Parliament recently passed a resolution that rejects a proposal by the European Commission.
The commission wants to remove radiation testing certification on certain foods, including rice, from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant areas, before they are granted access into European markets.
The parliament members instead have asked the commission to bring a new proposal that ensures radioactive contaminated food will not enter the bloc.
The parliament’s resolution has no legal binding.
Saito also asked the EU ambassador to lift bans for Japanese pork, poultry and dairy products. The EU is expected to send inspectors to various establishments in Japan in October.