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Japan will start dumping Fukushima nuclear waste water into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday (24/8/2023). Countries around the Pacific Ocean, including Indonesia, could be affected. Photo/REUTERS
BEIJING – Japan will start dumping water from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant (PLTN) into the Pacific Ocean, Thursday (24/8/2023) tomorrow.
The impact of disposing of nuclear waste can be felt by many countries near the Pacific Ocean, including Indonesia.
China has been a staunch opponent of the Japanese plan. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin denounced Tokyo’s decision as “very selfish and irresponsible”.
“Oceans sustain humanity. This is not Japan’s nuclear-contaminated sewage,” Wang said.
“This is unacceptable, absurd, and unnecessary,” he further told reporters on Tuesday.
“Japan puts its selfish interests above the long-term well-being of all mankind,” said Wang. “China is deeply concerned about this and strongly opposes this.”
Beijing, continued Wang, intends to take all necessary steps to protect the marine environment, ensure food safety and safeguard people’s life and health.
Earlier on Tuesday, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that the discharge of the Fukushima nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean would begin on August 24. “Weather conditions permit,” he said.
For the past two years, the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has sought approval to begin disposing of water from the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear power plant, which was crippled by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
