Politics & Government

Fukushima Promotes Local Food at Event in Washington

REUTERS/Issei Kato, file photo
Fukushima Governor Masao Uchibori speaks during a ceremony welcoming at Hibarigahara Festival Site during the last leg of the first day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic torch relay, in Minamisoma, Fukushima prefecture, Japan, March 25, 2021.

Jiji Press

14:31 JST, January 21, 2023

WASHINGTON — Fukushima Gov. Masao Uchibori held a sales promotion event in Washington on Thursday for food produced in his prefecture hit hard by the March 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident.

About 150 people, including U.S. government officials and business executives, tasted sake, roast beef and sushi made from ingredients produced in Fukushima.

The United States imposed restrictions on food imports from Fukushima after the nuclear accident and lifted them in 2021.

At the event, Uchibori expressed his gratitude to the United States for removing the restrictions and supporting Fukushima after the disaster, while giving explanations on reconstruction in the prefecture.

“Through incredible hard work … we dealt with the most difficult challenges that you could possibly face,” Kurt Campbell, Indo-Pacific coordinator at the U.S. National Security Council, said.

“We are standing here today to celebrate the rebirth of this wonderful part of Japan,” Campbell said, while raising his glass.