(RTTNews) - Health Ministers from Japan, China and South Korea agreed to share information on food safety and coordinate measures against the outbreak of the new AH1N1 influenza virus.

Chen Zhu of China, Japan's Akira Nagatsuma and South Korea's Jeon Jae Hee signed Monday a memorandum of understanding during the third regular meeting of the Health Ministers in Tokyo.

Nagatsuma urged China to allay concerns over pesticide-tainted Chinese-made dumplings in a "sincere manner."

Ten people in Japan, who consumed pesticide-tainted Chinese-made frozen dumplings in January last year, fell ill.
A joint statement issued after the meeting pledged to boost cooperation on food and health-related issues.

The agreement binds the three East Asian countries to exchange information on their food inspection methods, report food safety problems and dispatch experts.

Japan's new Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama had vowed that strengthening of regional co-operation was one of his government's foreign policy top priorities. At the same time, he made it clear that concerns over the safety of imported Chinese food were an 'obstacle' between the nations.

by RTT Staff Writer

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