Fukushima, Japan —
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said it was safe to release the radioactive wastewater to be treated into the Pacific Ocean but his government would do everything to support the fishing community from the potential impact of the project’s decades-long destructive rumors.
Kishida made the trip hours after returning from a summit with the US and South Korean presidents at the American presidential retreat at Camp David.
Before leaving Washington on Friday, Kishida said it was time to make a decision on the release date of the treated water, which has not been set due to the controversy surrounding the plan.
Kishida on Sunday personally inspected wastewater filtration and dilution facilities and met with factory and company executives. He told reporters he had confirmation of their commitment to release the water safely.
“Today I saw the facilities, heard directly from those in charge who were involved in the field, and received confirmation of TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company) top management’s determination. We received first-hand reports about the efforts being made to ensure the safety of the water treated by the ALPS power company to be discharged into the sea,” said Kishida.
Since announcing plans to release nuclear waste water into the ocean two years ago, the Japanese government has faced stiff opposition from Japanese fisheries organizations, which worry about further damage to seafood as they struggle to recover from the accident.
Groups in South Korea and China have also voiced concern, turning it into a political and diplomatic matter.
The government and operator of the power plant, Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO), said the water had to be disposed of because the plant had to be decommissioned and to prevent accidental leakage from the tank as most of the water was still contaminated and required further treatment.
Japan has secured support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to increase transparency and credibility and to ensure TEPCO’s plan meets international safety standards.
The Japanese government has also stepped up a campaign promoting the plan’s security at home and through diplomatic channels.
The IAEA, in its final report in July, concluded that the TEPCO plan, if carried out strictly as designed, would have negligible impacts on the environment and human health, and encouraged Japan to proceed with it.
Meanwhile, China on Thursday again questioned the ability of operators of the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant following reports of a leak in a hose used to drain wastewater.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin commented on the report at his daily press briefing. He said the company’s ability to dispose of water properly was “doubtful.”
“China once again urges the Japanese side to address the legitimate concerns of the international community and the Japanese people, to stop the sewage discharge plan. Instead, fully consult neighboring countries sincerely, and handle the contaminated water responsibly under strict international supervision,” said Wang.
Japan plans to start releasing treated nuclear waste from the tsunami-damaged plant into the sea this summer, but the plan is strongly opposed by fishermen, local residents and neighboring countries such as China and South Korea. (lt/hr)
