According to Kyodo News, a draft policy document on the nation’s international cooperation, Japan plans to tap into its foreign aid funds to pay for reconstruction in the aftermath of the March 11 quake and tsunami.
The fund will also be used to buy processed seafood from affected areas for export to developing countries. Due to the ongoing crisis at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, the draft released Sunday said the food “should be tested for radioactive contamination before being sent as aid to other countries.” Note it says “should,” not “must.”
I have to say this is one of the most upsetting news items I’ve read since I started keeping this blog. I can understand Japan cutting some foreign aid when it’s in the midst of the biggest natural disaster in its history, but then turning around and using the money that might have went to developing countries to prop up its own industries in a time when even the Japanese are wary of Japanese foodstuffs and sending those potentially contaminated products to the poor countries in place of monetary aid just makes my mind spin.
