One year has passed since Japan began discharging nuclear-contaminated water into the Pacific Ocean, releasing a total of 55,000 tonnes to date, according to the Tokyo Electric Power Company.
The decision to release the wastewater, stemming from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster over a decade ago, has been met with continuous anxiety and anger both domestically and internationally. Despite widespread concern, Tokyo remains steadfast in its plan, which is projected to take 30 years to complete.
The Fukushima plant, heavily damaged by an earthquake and tsunami in 2011, utilized more than 1 million tonnes of water to cool its damaged reactors. This water became contaminated with radioactive isotopes, including tritium, and had been accumulating until the discharge commenced in August last year.
While the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that the release is “consistent with global safety standards,” local organizations, neighboring countries, and international experts have expressed concerns about potential long-term environmental impacts. They fear the move could affect ecosystems around the world for generations.
China has urged Japan to fully cooperate in establishing an independent, effective, and long-term international monitoring scheme with substantive participation from its neighbors and other stakeholders regarding the wastewater discharge.
“Without full consultation with neighboring countries, Japan unilaterally began discharging Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the sea, shifting risks globally,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters at a press briefing on Friday. “It is entirely legitimate, reasonable and necessary for China and other countries to take precautionary measures to protect food safety and people’s health in response to the discharge.”
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One year on: Japan has released 55,000 tonnes of nuclear wastewater
cgtn.com
