Title: Japan to Release Treated Radioactive Water from Fukushima Plant, Drawing Criticism
Subtitle: China and Neighboring Countries Raise Concerns over Safety and Impact
TOKYO, Aug 22 (Reuters) – The Japanese government announced on Tuesday that it will commence the release of more than 1 million metric tonnes of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant on Aug. 24. The plan, approved two years ago, aims to facilitate the decommissioning process of the facility operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco). However, the decision has faced strong criticism, particularly from China.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated on Tuesday that he has urged Tepco to swiftly carry out the water discharge as per the plan approved by the Nuclear Regulation Authority. The release is expected to begin on August 24, pending favorable weather conditions.
Despite the government’s assurance of the safety of the water release, the plan has been met with skepticism both domestically and internationally. Local fishing groups in Japan expressed concerns about potential reputational damage and threats to their livelihoods.
“I promise that we will take on the entire responsibility of ensuring the fishing industry can continue to make their living, even if that will take decades,” reassured Prime Minister Kishida on Monday.
China, in particular, has been highly critical of Japan’s decision. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, accused Japan of displaying selfishness and arrogance, emphasizing the lack of comprehensive consultation with the international community regarding the water release. China currently bans seafood imports from 10 prefectures in Japan, including Fukushima and Tokyo, while seafood imports from other prefectures must undergo rigorous radioactivity tests.
South Korean activists have also protested the plan. However, the South Korean government has conducted its own study and concluded that the water release meets international standards, respecting the assessment conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Pacific Island nations, which have their own history of being nuclear testing sites, have shown a divided stance on the matter. While Fiji’s Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, backed the IAEA report, he acknowledged the controversial nature of the issue within the Pacific Islands.
Prime Minister Kishida expressed his belief that an “accurate understanding” of the matter is spreading in the international community, as Japan continues to emphasize that the released water will be safe. The IAEA has also deemed the plan as meeting international standards with a negligible impact on people and the environment.
The treated water, which includes tritium, an isotope of hydrogen difficult to separate from water, will be filtered to remove most radioactive elements. The released water will be diluted to levels well below internationally approved standards before being discharged into the Pacific Ocean.
Test results of the seawater after the discharge are expected to be available in early September. Additionally, Japan plans to test fish in the waters near the Fukushima plant, with the results being made publicly available on the agriculture ministry’s website.
Reported by Sakura Murakami and Tim Kelly in Tokyo, Kirsty Needham in Sydney; Editing by Chang-Ran Kim and Gerry Doyle
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