Hong Kong's long sushi queues show few worried at Japan's wastewater release
25/08/2023 09:40
HONG KONG, Aug 25(Reuters) - Long queues at sushi
restaurants in Hong Kong on Friday backed up the statements of
many who said they were not worried about the release of treated
radioactive water from Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant and would
continue to visit Japanese restaurants.
More than 20 customers had gathered in the Sheung Wan
district of the Asian financial hub awaiting the 10:30 a.m.
opening time of a conveyor-belt sushi chain, Sushiro, while
dozens streamed in by 12 p.m., despite a wait time of an hour.
"I don't feel too concerned about radiation," said one of
those in the queue, 22-year-old Verita, who gave only one name.
"Moderation is key in everything, right? Occasionally dining
out (for sushi) ... shouldn't pose a significant risk."
Hong Kong's ban on seafood imports from 10 Japanese regions
began on Thursday, with authorities saying it was a precaution
to safeguard public health.
Japan started its discharge the same day into the Pacific
Ocean, a polarising move that provoked fresh, fierce criticism
from China that it was "selfish and irresponsible".
The Chinese-ruled city is permitting food imports from 13
other Japanese regions but they face strict tests and
monitoring, with daily radiation levels published online, the
government said.
Japan's second largest market for farm and fisheries exports
after mainland China, Hong Kong has numerous popular Japanese
restaurants, while the country is a favourite holiday
destination for many.
Mainland China said it had suspended imports of all aquatic
products originating from Japan.
In Hong Kong supermarkets on Friday, sashimi and seafood
were clearly labelled with their places of origin, showing that
many such items came from Argentina, Canada and Norway.
Billy Tse, 20, who was lining up for his sushi "fix", said
Hong Kong people may already be consuming water with some kind
of contamination from China's own nuclear emissions.
"I personally wouldn't worry about issues like eating raw
seafood from Japan," he added. "Even if Japan discharges nuclear
wastewater, I would still come here to dine."
(Reporting by Joyce Zhou and Tyrone Siu; Writing by Farah
Master; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
((farah.master@thomsonreuters.com; +852 3462 7709;))