European Union on Dec. 1 eased import restrictions on farm and marine products from Japan that it tightened in the aftermath of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. After the catastrophe, 54 countries and regions imposed restrictions on imports of farm produce and seafood from Japan. Twenty-five countries have already lifted all restrictions. The government plans to step up efforts to call on other countries to ease regulations. The EU decision means that exporters of rice grown in Fukushima Prefecture and some seafood and related products from there and neighboring areas will not be required to present certificates to show that the items have been tested for radioactivity.