Unable to eliminate the harm of nuclear contaminated water being discharged into the sea, People's Daily chimes: exaggerating non citizens | society | nuclear contaminated water | plans | international | Japan | Japan | nuclear contaminated water being discharged into the sea

The Japanese side is keen on exaggerating and attempting to create a false impression that nuclear contaminated water is safe and harmless by launching intensive public relations campaigns both domestically and internationally. This approach exposes its selfishness of not caring about the global marine environment and public health, but only caring about its own interests

The legitimacy, legality, and safety of Japan's plan to discharge nuclear contaminated water into the sea have always been questioned internationally, with protests from both Japan and neighboring countries, and constant opposition from the international community. Japan should have responded seriously to the concerns of the international community and made every effort to dispose of nuclear contaminated water in a scientific, safe, and transparent manner. However, the Japanese side is keen on exaggerating themselves and attempting to create a false impression that nuclear contaminated water is safe and harmless by launching intensive public relations campaigns both domestically and internationally. This approach exposes its selfishness of not caring about the global marine environment and public health, but only caring about its own interests.

The Japanese side's strong push for a plan to discharge nuclear contaminated water into the sea has been accompanied by a carefully planned public relations offensive from the beginning. The Japan Agency for Reconstruction was established in 2012 and is responsible for the reconstruction of disaster areas. However, the agency allocates public relations funds every year to educate people that the impact of the Fukushima nuclear accident has been eliminated. On April 13, 2021, on the day when the Japanese government unilaterally decided to discharge nuclear contaminated water into the sea, the Fuxing Agency released pre made promotional posters and videos on its official website in an attempt to win favor by packaging radioactive elements that could not be eliminated from nuclear contaminated water into a mascot image. This has caused serious dissatisfaction among the Japanese people and the international community. The people of Fukushima Prefecture indignantly pointed out that it is completely out of place with the severe reality facing Fukushima. In the end, the Revival Department had to withdraw the relevant products.

For over two years, Japan has not only failed to learn from its mistakes, but has also continued to carry out rounds of propaganda campaigns to the public regarding the so-called safety of nuclear contaminated water. Many Japanese newspapers, television stations, and others heavily publish and broadcast advertisements about the so-called safety of nuclear contaminated water, disrupting and masking public concerns and opposition. The Japanese government has repeatedly referred to nuclear contaminated water that has been treated by a "multi nuclide treatment system" but still contains many radioactive nuclides as "treated water" in an attempt to downplay its pollution characteristics and potential hazards. The Japanese government has also established a special fund with a total amount of 80 billion yen, planning to provide "compensation" for the fishing industry in areas affected by nuclear contaminated water discharge into the sea, in an attempt to appease people with so-called "compensation fees". This is another clear evidence that Japan is covering up the harm of nuclear contaminated water being discharged into the sea.

Japan is also increasing its public relations efforts with some countries, international institutions, and organizations, attempting to persuade all parties to endorse its plan to discharge nuclear contaminated water into the sea. In April of this year, at a press conference of the G7 Climate, Energy, and Environment Ministers, Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, Yasuhiro Nishimura, stated that steady progress in the decommissioning of the Fukushima nuclear power plant, including the discharge of contaminated water into the sea, would be welcomed. German Minister of Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection, Lemke, countered on the spot, stating that "we cannot welcome the discharge of nuclear wastewater into the sea.". The Japanese government also used occasions such as the NATO summit, the East Asian Cooperation Foreign Ministers' Meeting, and the Eastern Caribbean Fisheries Ministers' Meeting to defend the Fukushima nuclear contaminated water discharge plan.

Whether it is launching a large-scale public opinion offensive domestically or lobbying and wooing internationally, Japan has used its strength in the wrong place. All relevant parties strongly oppose Japan's plan to discharge nuclear contaminated water into the sea, and demand that Japan stop forcefully promoting the plan. Japan should communicate fully with stakeholders, including neighboring countries, in a sincere manner, effectively and responsibly dispose of nuclear contaminated water, and accept strict international supervision. However, so far, Japan has been persistently promoting its plan to discharge nuclear contaminated water into the sea, without fully studying and demonstrating other disposal options, nor seriously responding to the concerns of the international community. Its selfish approach has disappointed the international community.

Whether it is a large-scale public opinion offensive domestically or lobbying and soliciting internationally, Japan's small actions cannot dispel the doubts of the domestic public and the international community about the discharge of nuclear contaminated water into the sea. Japanese fishermen have repeatedly reiterated their opposition to the discharge of nuclear contaminated water into the sea recently, and opposition parties in South Korea have also expressed concerns and opposition from the South Korean people towards the discharge plan through letters. Many people from various countries have held protests in front of Japanese embassies and consulates in the Philippines, New York, Sydney, and other places, demanding that Japan stop its plan to discharge nuclear contaminated water into the sea. Because people are very aware that once Japan's plan to discharge into the sea is implemented, it will impose unpredictable nuclear pollution risks on the international community.

Discharging nuclear contaminated water into the ocean is a risky gamble that endangers humanity. The Japanese side should face the concerns of the international community, shoulder its moral responsibility and international legal obligations, and seek appropriate disposal methods for nuclear contaminated water. Japan should not initiate the discharge of nuclear contaminated water into the sea without addressing the concerns of the international community regarding the legitimacy, data reliability, effectiveness of purification devices, and uncertainty of environmental impact.