Part 1 of 2 Parts
Japan could begin releasing treated and diluted radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster into the Pacific Ocean as early as the 24th of August. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida gave the final approval for the release of the wastewater at a Cabinet meeting yesterday.
It has now been over twelve years since the magnitude 9.1 Tōhoku earthquake hit Northern Japan on the 11th of March, 2011. The quake was the fourth strongest ever recorded. It caused mass fatalities and huge infrastructural damage. In addition, it triggered deadly tsunamis with waves up to forty-six feet high. These waves fatally damaged generators at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in the Fukushima Prefecture. The result was meltdowns and a hydrogen explosion.
When the reactors melted down, over one and one third million tons of cooling water was contaminated. This water is still stored on-site. The Japanese government says that it needs to be diluted and discharged so Japan can finish decommissioning the site. The discharge will reduce the risk of the thousand tanks of contaminated water leaking into the ground. Many nuclear experts say that they are not concerned. However, environmental activists from Japan, South Korea and China have criticized the controversial action. There have even been protests in the streets.
In the days leading up to the start of wastewater discharge, there have been widespread protests in nearby South Korea. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung has referred to Japan’s plan to discharge the water as an act of “terror.” Surveys show the main public concerns are seafood and ocean contamination.
The release of the treated wastewater has also faced strong domestic opposition from Japanese fishing organizations. They worry about further damage to the reputation of their seafood amid their ongoing struggle to recover from the nuclear disaster.
China is also concerned about the release of the wastewater, making it a political and diplomatic issue. Hong Kong has stated that it will suspend imports from Fukushima and nine other Japanese Prefectures if Japan proceeds with the release. China has increased radiation testing on Japanese fisheries products, delaying customs clearance.
International environmental organizations such as Greenpeace have also commented. In a press release, Greenpeace condemned the Japanese decision. They said that it “violates the human rights of communities in Japan and the Pacific region and is non-compliant with international maritime law”.
Hisayo Takada is the Greenpeace Japan project manager. He said that they were “deeply disappointed and outraged” by the Japanese Government’s announcement. “Despite concerns raised by fishermen, citizens, Fukushima residents, and the international community, especially in the Pacific region and neighboring countries, this decision has been made.” He also said that the Japanese government did not learn from the disaster. He added that, “Instead of acknowledging the flaws in the current decommissioning plan, the ongoing nuclear crisis, and the massive amount of public funds required, the Japanese government intends to restart more nuclear reactors despite evidence of major earthquakes and safety risks.”
Please read Part 2 next