China has called on Japan to provide immediate clarity regarding a radioactive water leak at the Fugen nuclear power plant during decommissioning work, emphasizing the need for stringent nuclear safety protocols. The incident, reported on December 23 by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), involved approximately 20 milliliters of water containing radioactive tritium leaking during reactor dismantling in Fukui Prefecture. While Japanese authorities confirmed no harm to three nearby workers, concerns over Japan's nuclear management practices persist.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian urged Japan to "take measures to properly handle the decommissioning of nuclear power plants and the disposal of radioactive waste," citing systemic flaws in operational oversight. Lin highlighted recurring issues, including falsified radiation detector inspections at the Fukushima Daiichi plant and cooling water leaks at the Rokkasho reprocessing facility, as evidence of broader safety challenges.
The criticism comes as Japan moves to restart the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant, despite public opposition following a 2007 cooling water spill. Lin stressed the need for Japan to "fully draw lessons from the Fukushima nuclear accident" and engage international oversight to address global apprehensions.
