G7 Calls for Repeal of Bans on Japanese Food

The Group of Seven (G7) has urged the "immediate repeal" of bans imposed on Japanese food imports, referring to China's restrictions that were imposed after Japan began discharging treated water from the Fukushima plant last August, according to the Japanese newspaper Japan Times.

The newspaper reported in its English edition on its website that the G7 trade ministers did not mention China in the statement issued after their meeting, which began on Saturday in Osaka, western Japan, and continued into Sunday.

However, they also condemned what they considered increasing economic pressure through trade.

The group stated in a 10-page statement, "We deplore the use of economic coercion and commit to building an open, fair, mutually beneficial, and rules-based economic and trade relationship."

China imposed a comprehensive ban on Japanese fish imports two months ago when Japan began releasing treated water from the Fukushima plant into the Pacific Ocean.

While Japan and the United States have described the restrictions as unfair, Russia announced similar restrictions earlier this month.

The G7, which includes the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Italy, and Canada, expressed "concern" about recent control measures on the export of critical metals.

China, the world's largest graphite producer, recently imposed restrictions on the export of the key material used in electric vehicle batteries, in another attempt to control supplies of vital metals in response to challenges to its global manufacturing dominance.