TOKYO- Japan has confirmed its intention to commence the release of more than 1 million metric tonnes of treated radioactive water from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant on August 24.
This move, which was approved by the Japanese government two years ago and is considered essential for the plant's decommissioning, has sparked significant controversy, notably from China and local fishing communities.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that he has directed Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) to prepare for the water discharge, aligning with the plan sanctioned by the Nuclear Regulation Authority. The release is set to begin on August 24, pending favorable weather conditions.
This announcement follows recent government claims of gaining "a degree of understanding" from the fishing industry regarding the water release.
However, local fishing groups remain concerned about potential damage to their reputation and the livelihoods of those in the industry.
In a commitment made on Monday, Prime Minister Kishida assured that Japan would shoulder the full responsibility of safeguarding the livelihoods of the fishing industry, even if it requires several decades to do so.
Japan has repeatedly asserted that the planned water release is safe. This assertion gained international support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations' nuclear watchdog.
In July, the IAEA endorsed the plan, affirming that it adhered to international standards and that the anticipated impact on both people and the environment was deemed "negligible."
Several neighboring countries have expressed skepticism about the safety of Japan's plan to release treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. China, in particular, has been a vocal critic, accusing Japan of selfishness and arrogance for not fully consulting the international community on the matter.
As a response, China has imposed a ban on seafood imports from several Japanese prefectures, including Fukushima and Tokyo, while requiring stringent radiation testing and proof of origin for seafood imports from other regions.
South Korea has also seen protests against the plan, although its government concluded from its own study that the water release aligns with international standards, and it respects the assessment by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
In the Pacific region, opinions are divided, given the history of some nations serving as nuclear testing sites for the United States and France. Fiji's Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, expressed support for the IAEA report while acknowledging the controversial nature of the issue in the Pacific Islands.
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida stated his belief that an "accurate understanding" of the situation is spreading globally.
Japan has maintained that the released water will be filtered to eliminate most radioactive elements, except for tritium, which is challenging to separate from water. Before discharge into the Pacific, the treated water will be diluted to levels well below internationally approved tritium limits.
The water in question was originally used to cool the fuel rods at Fukushima Daiichi following the 2011 accident caused by a massive tsunami along Japan's eastern coast.
Japanese officials anticipate that the initial test results for seawater after the discharge may be available at the beginning of September. Additionally, Japan plans to conduct tests on fish in the vicinity of the plant, with the results made accessible on the agriculture ministry's website.