Group of 7 (G7) trade ministers called for the "immediate repeal" of import bans on Japanese food products.

They did not specify which countries imposed the ban during the meeting in Osaka, Japan, on Oct. 29, Reuters reported.

G7 'strongly' calls for 'immediate repeal' of Japanese food bans

The G7 trade ministers "strongly" called for the "immediate repeal of measures that unnecessarily restrict trade, including the newly introduced import restrictions on Japanese food products", Kyodo News reported. 

They also condemned the usage of economic dependencies with other countries to exert influence, control, and pressure on these countries in a 10-page joint statement issued on Oct. 29 after their two-day talks.

"We deplore actions to weaponise economic dependencies and commit to build on free, fair, and mutually beneficial economic and trade relationships," the leaders said in the statement.

Although no country was explicitly specified, this sentence likely refers to some countries' reactions after Japan released radioactive wastewater from its Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean on Aug. 24.

The following day, China banned "all aquatic products" from Japan. The ban has been in effect since then.

In response, the U.S. decried China's restrictions as "unfair" on Sep. 7, Reuters added.

On Oct. 16, Russia also restricted the import of fish and other seafood from Japan, Reuters reported.

Japan's foreign ministry has called Russia's move as "unjust" too, reported Associated Press.

G7 to build 'resilient & reliable' critical mineral supply chains

Hailing from Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Italy, Canada and the U.S, the G7 also expressed "concern" over recent restrictions on the export of critical minerals.

Japan's trade ministry said that the G7 trade ministers "shared the need, a genuinely strong one, to reduce dependence on a particular country" for critical minerals supply, Reuters reported.

The ministers were likely criticising China's curb on graphite exports on Oct. 20, according to Reuters.

China is currently the world's leading producer in graphite, which is used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

The ministers also agreed to build "resilient and reliable supply chains" for critical minerals, semiconductors, and EV batteries.

While no mention was made of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Middle East, the ministers sought to "raise awareness" about the "challenges" of transporting humanitarian goods across international borders during natural disasters and other crises.

Top image from MOFA of Japan/X

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