China's Fukushima blowback follows old Japan-bashing playbook

Past cycles of criticism tied in with domestic politics and power struggles

20230908N Fukushima protest

Demonstrators in Hong Kong protest on Aug. 24 against Japan's release of treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.

HIROYUKI AKITA, Nikkei commentator

TOKYO -- The Chinese backlash against Japan's release of treated wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant shows no sign of ending.

At the ASEAN+3 summit in Jakarta on Sept. 6, Chinese Premier Li Qiang blasted Japan's handling of what he called "nuclear-contaminated water." China has already suspended all imports of Japanese seafood. ASEAN+3 consists of Association of Southeast Asian Nations members plus Japan, China and South Korea.

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