Japanese Government Sets Date for Discharging Fukushima Wastewater Despite Opposition
Concerns Arise as Japan Prepares to Release Treated Radioactive Water
The Japanese authorities have announced that the discharge of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant will begin on Thursday, August 24th. This decision has not been without its fair share of opposition, with concerns raised by fishermen, Chinese and North Korean authorities, as well as the public in Japan and South Korea, including some scientists.
Recent developments have seen the Japanese authorities officially confirm the start date for the release of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, scheduled for Thursday, August 24th.
Close proximity to the Fukushima power plant has revealed that radiation levels in fish are 180 times higher than the accepted standard.
Japan has been keen to emphasize the safety measures taken, assuring that the fish within the treated water derived from the Fukushima waste water have not suffered any harm to their well-being.
In response to Japan’s decision, China has tightened controls over imported food, particularly seafood, as a precautionary measure.
Fumio Kishida, Japan’s Prime Minister, has defended the decision as an integral step in the long process of decommissioning the Fukushima power station, stating that over 1 million tons of water stored in the nuclear power plant will be removed.
However, concerns have been raised about the presence of isotopes, radioactive substances that cannot be effectively purged by the power plant’s water treatment technology.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN’s nuclear watchdog, has approved the discharge, claiming that the potential radiation impact on both humans and the environment would be minimal.
Neighboring countries, such as South Korea and China, however, remain unconvinced, with South Korea extending its ban on seafood imports from specific regions of Japan since the Fukushima Daiichi disaster in 2011.
While the South Korean government has recently given its approval for the release of wastewater, concerns remain among the opposition and many South Koreans regarding potential impacts on food security.
Experts have indicated that similar processes for disposing of wastewater containing low concentrations of isotopes and other radionuclides are employed by nuclear power plants globally, with no evidence of adverse health or environmental effects.
A nuclear expert at the University of Adelaide, Tony Hooker, has emphasized that isotopes have been released by nuclear power plants for decades without negative consequences.
In contrast, Greenpeace argues that flaws in the water purification process at the Fukushima plant present a significant risk, warning of the potentially “huge” release of radioactive material into the sea over the course of the coming decades if the discharge takes place.
The Japanese government and power plant operator Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco) have encountered opposition from local fishermen, who fear that water leaks into the Pacific Ocean will harm their industry.
In an attempt to allay these concerns, Prime Minister Kishida held a meeting on August 21st with Masanobu Sakamoto, the head of the National Federation of Cooperative Fisheries. He aimed to reassure fishing communities that the release of wastewater poses no threat.
Prior to the meeting, Sakamoto mentioned that while they understand the scientific safety behind the water release, they still fear the potential for damage to their reputation.
These concerns were further brought to light in a recent Asahi Shimbun newspaper poll, in which 75% of respondents believed that the government had not done enough to prevent damage to the reputation of Japanese seafood.
Prime Minister Kishida acknowledged these worries while emphasizing the necessity of the discharge, stating that the demolition of the Fukushima nuclear plant and the subsequent restoration of the area cannot be postponed.
He reassured the fishing industry that the government is fully committed to ensuring its continuity, even if it takes decades to achieve.
To address the potential economic impact, the Japanese government has established a 30 billion yen ($26 million) fund to compensate local fishermen for any damage to their reputation, along with an additional 50 billion yen ($12 billion) dedicated to mitigating any adverse effects on the local economy.
Sources: The Guardian, AFP
The Japanese authorities have announced a date to start discharging the “Fukushima nuclear power plant” wastewater is Thursday, August 24th.
Japan’s decision to release treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant amid concern and opposition from fishermen, Chinese and North Korean authorities. and the public in Japan and South Korea including some scientists
Recently, the Japanese authorities have announced the start of the release of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Which will start releasing from Thursday, August 24th
Fish near the Fukushima power plant The level of radiation was 180 times higher than the standard.
Japan shows safety “Fukushima waste water” lives fish life in treated water.
China tightens controls over imported food after Japan prepares to release water from Fukushima power plant into sea
Japan’s Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, said he was removing more than 1 million tons of water stored in nuclear power plants. It is an integral part of the long and complex process of decommissioning a power station.
But the plan raised concerns. Because water contains isotopes This is a radioactive substance that cannot be removed by the power plant’s water purification technology.
While the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN’s nuclear watchdog, approved the discharge of the waste water, saying that the radiation effect on people and the environment would be “very little”.
However, neighboring countries such as South Korea or China They were not so sure. and has extended a ban on seafood imports from certain areas of Japan. This has been around since 2011 after Fukushima Daiichi suffered nuclear damage due to an earthquake and tsunami.
The South Korean government has recently approved the release. But the opposition and many South Koreans are worried about the impact on food security.
Some experts point out that similar processes are used by nuclear power stations around the world to dispose of waste water containing low concentrations of isotopes and other radionuclides.
Tony Hooker, a nuclear expert at the University of Adelaide, said: “Isotopes have been emitted by nuclear power stations for decades. without evidence of adverse effects on health or the environment.”
However, Greenpeace explains that the factory’s water purification process was flawed and warned that “huge” amounts of radioactive material could be released into the sea over the next decades. If the discharge of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant is allowed
The government and those in charge of power plant operations, such as Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco), have faced opposition from local fishermen who say they are struggling. Water leaks into the Pacific will destroy their industries.
In a meeting yesterday (August 21) with Masanobu Sakamoto, head of the National Federation of Cooperative Fisheries. Kishida is trying to reassure fishing communities that discharging wastewater is safe.
before the meeting Sakamoto said that They understand that releasing water can be scientifically safe. but still fear damage to reputation
These fears were reflected in a poll by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper this week, in which 75 per cent of respondents said the government had not done enough to prevent the expected damage to the reputation of Japanese seafood
Kishida acknowledged those concerns. but it was confirmed that the release of water “It’s definitely not something we can delay. If we want to demolish the Fukushima nuclear plant and restore the area.”
He added, “I promise that we take full responsibility for ensuring that the fishing industry will be able to continue. Even if it takes decades.”
The Japanese government has set up a 30 billion yen ($26 million) fund to compensate local fishermen for damage to their reputation and 50 billion yen ($12 billion) to remedy any impact on the local economy.
Compiled from The Guardian
Image from AFP
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