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On August 24, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) suspended all imports of aquatic products (including edible aquatic animals) from Japan, effective immediately.

Japan is one of the world’s leading consumers of seafood. In 2022, it imported $15 billion of seafood products, making it the world’s third largest importer. Half of Japan’s seafood demand is met by imports. The United States is the third largest seafood supplier to Japan, specializing in salmon, cod, pollock, herring, crab, and lobster.

Japan will require importers of U.S. products containing mackerel, Pacific saury, sardine, squid and cuttlefish to submit a newly approved Catch Certificate issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The requirement extends to all seafood originating from these species if the marine product is harvested after November 30, 2022.

On April 26, 2022, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries designated mackerel, Pacific saury, sardine, squid and cuttlefish as vulnerable to illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. From December 1, 2022, Japan will require catch certificates to import products containing these species as a main ingredient.

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW) released precautional notes explaining its food safety regulatory vision for fish products developed using genome editing technology.

On December 4, 2020, Japan passed the Adjustment for the Domestic Distribution of Specified Marine Animals and Plants Act to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Fresh oyster imports to Japan must comply with Japan’s (i) Specific Standard for Oysters for Raw Consumption and (ii) Handling of Toxic Shellfish Contaminated with Paralytic and Diarrheal Shellfish...

Japan has accepted the sanitary certificate issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for fresh oysters exported by eligible U.S. entities.

From June 1, 2020, Japan will require the use of a revised sanitary certificate for fresh oyster exports.

On February 21, 2020, Russia notified the WTO of draft EAEU requirements for imported gastropod mollusks and the corresponding form of a unified EAEU veterinary certificate via G/SPS/N/RUS/180.

Prospective exporters and exhibitors of major food shows and trade showcases often enhance their presentation with samples for display or tasting when visiting Japan.

Japan is the fourth largest market for U.S. exporters of food and agricultural products.