In a significant development hailed by environmentalists and neighboring countries alike, Japan has agreed to China’s independent monitoring of the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The agreement follows multiple rounds of consultations between Beijing and Tokyo since August last year, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Friday.
Central to this agreement is Japan’s commitment to establishing a long-term international monitoring arrangement within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This arrangement will cover key stages of the wastewater discharge process, allowing stakeholders, including China, to conduct independent sampling, monitoring, and inter-laboratory comparisons.
The decision comes amid widespread concerns over the potential environmental impact of releasing nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean. China’s involvement in the monitoring process is seen as a step toward greater transparency and collaboration in addressing these concerns.
Both nations have agreed to continue engaging in constructive, science-based dialogue, emphasizing their shared responsibility for the ecosystem, the environment, and the health and safety of human life. This collaborative approach aims to properly address and mitigate international apprehensions regarding the discharge.
This agreement marks a significant milestone in Sino-Japanese relations, showcasing a mutual commitment to environmental stewardship and international cooperation. As the world keenly watches the developments at Fukushima, the collaboration between Japan, China, and other stakeholders under the IAEA framework is expected to set a precedent for handling similar challenges in the future.
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Japan agrees to China's independent monitoring of Fukushima wastewater
cgtn.com
