Fukushima Water Release Hits Anglerfish Resto

Following Hong Kong's announcement of a ban on imports from 10 Japanese prefectures if the release of treated wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant goes ahead as planned, some including an export business in Ibaraki foresee a major pinch, Takahiro Tauchi reported for Mainichi Shimbun.

Photo Insert: Ibaraki's specialty is anglerfish, and the area is thought to be the original home of "anko-nabe," or anglerfish hot pot. Marumitsu aims to bring anglerfish cuisine to the global market.

The government of Hong Kong is set to impose an immediate import ban not only on fresh fish, but other products such as frozen foods and sea salt from Fukushima, Ibaraki, and eight other prefectures if the water release goes ahead this summer, creating far-reaching effects beyond the fishing industry.

On June 20, Yoshihisa Takeshi, 47, manager of Marumitsu Ryokan in the city of Kitaibaraki, got a message from a trading firm that serves as a point of contact for its overseas division: "The release of the treated water is becoming a major issue in Hong Kong. I want to hold an emergency online conference."

Ibaraki's specialty is anglerfish, and the area is thought to be the original home of "anko-nabe," or anglerfish hot pot. Marumitsu aims to bring anglerfish cuisine to the global market.

It opened its first overseas shop last December in Hong Kong. Marumitsu entered a three-year contract with the owner, who paid for expenses including the restaurant's opening.

Sales of anglerfish soared but skidded in June as the number of customers sank after the Hong Kong government set its firm stance against Japan's release of the treated Fukushima water.

WEEKLY FEATURE : MVP Group Keeps Lights On During Pandemic