Open the Pandora's Box! Japan officially starts discharging Fukushima nuclear contaminated water and opposes it | Japan | Fukushima

On August 24th, according to comprehensive reports, around 12:00 Beijing time, despite strong opposition from both domestic and foreign parties, Japan officially began discharging the contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.

More than 30000 tons will be discharged in 2023

Tokyo Electric Power Company plans to add about 1200 tons of seawater to each ton of nuclear contaminated water for dilution. After confirming that the concentration has decreased to the so-called "expected standard," the discharge of nuclear contaminated water will officially begin.

According to the plan, a total of 31200 tons of nuclear contaminated water will be discharged in four stages within 2023, with the first batch planned to discharge approximately 7800 tons. The discharge will continue for 17 consecutive days starting from August 24th.

TEPCO and the Japanese Ministry of Environment and other departments have stated that they will install detection equipment in the waters surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. In the event of abnormal radiation data, earthquakes with a seismic intensity of 5 or above, and tsunamis, emissions will be suspended.

The Daily News of Japan predicts that it will take 30 to 40 years to completely discharge all of these nuclear contaminated water.

There are constant opposition voices in Japan

Regarding Japan's forced push to discharge nuclear contaminated water from Fukushima into the sea, Kenichi Okada, Secretary General of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, also stated that the Japanese government has not complied with the agreement with the Fukushima Prefectural Fisheries Federation not to discharge water without understanding. The Chairman of the Communist Party of Japan, Kazuo Shiga, strongly opposes it and demands that the Japanese government stop its sea discharge plan.

At the same time, protests erupted in many parts of Japan, and people gathered to oppose the Japanese government and TEPCO's plan to discharge pollutants into the sea. According to a report by the Japan Broadcasting Association, a fisherman from Ibaraki Prefecture stated, "I cannot accept the government's forceful push without providing us with any explanation, even though it may have an impact on the local fishing industry.".

Yasushin Sakamoto, President of the National Fisheries Federation of Japan, also stated in his latest statement that he firmly opposes the discharge of pollutants into the sea without the understanding of fisheries workers and citizens, and emphasized that this matter is difficult to avoid affecting the reputation of fisheries in Fukushima and other places.

The international community condemns from multiple sources

Not only within Japan, but also widely opposed by the international community.

On the 22nd local time, a large number of South Korean people gathered in front of the Japanese Embassy in South Korea, holding slogans such as "Resolutely oppose Fukushima nuclear sewage discharge into the sea!" and "Demanding Japan to withdraw its plan to discharge nuclear contaminated water into the sea!", condemning Japan's plan to discharge into the sea.

On the 23rd, Lee Jae ming, the leader of South Korea's largest opposition party, the Democratic Party of Korea, also condemned Japan's upcoming nuclear contaminated water discharge. He called Japan's move a "terrorist act" and believed that the plan would pose a huge risk to the health of the South Korean people.

Russia's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna, Ustinov, previously stated that Japan lacks transparency on this issue and is concerned that its strong push for a plan to discharge nuclear contaminated water into the sea will affect the global ecosystem.

In addition, several Pacific island countries, including Papua New Guinea and Fiji, have repeatedly expressed opposition to the Fukushima nuclear contaminated water discharge plan. The Secretary General of the Pacific Island Forum, Puna, has clearly pointed out that Japan's plan to discharge radioactive waste into the Pacific is not only a nuclear safety issue, but also related to the marine environment, fisheries, public health, and the interests of future generations. Japan's plan to discharge nuclear contaminated water into the sea has significant cross-border and intergenerational impacts, which may constitute an international precedent for intentional discharge of nuclear waste into the ocean. Other disposal methods should be sought.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin stated on August 23 that the Japanese government has ignored strong questioning and opposition from the international community and insists on announcing the upcoming discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. This act openly transfers the risk of nuclear pollution to neighboring countries, including China, and the international community, placing one's own interests above the long-term well-being of people in the region and around the world. It is extremely selfish and irresponsible. China expresses serious concern and strong opposition.

Wang Wenbin pointed out that the ocean is the blue homeland on which all humanity relies for survival, and Japan is not allowed to dump nuclear contaminated water at will. Japan's strong push to discharge nuclear contaminated water into the sea is undoubtedly a gamble on the global marine environment and human health. If Japan truly has the sincerity to address the concerns of its neighboring countries, it should immediately stop the strong push for sea discharge plans, engage in exchanges without predetermined results, and fully discuss all possible safety disposal plans.

Wang Wenbin emphasized that China strongly urges Japan to withdraw its erroneous decision, stop forcefully promoting plans to discharge nuclear contaminated water into the sea, communicate with neighboring countries in good faith with a sincere attitude, and handle it responsibly to avoid unpredictable damage and harm to the global marine environment. If the Japanese side insists on strongly promoting the plan to discharge into the sea, the Chinese government will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the marine environment, food safety, and public health.

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