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Global Impact: Japan, nuclear watchdog under intense scrutiny over discharge of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water

SCMP, 10 July 23, This week, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that Japan’s plan to release radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011 into the ocean meets international safety standards.

But instead of allaying concerns of neighbouring countries and activists, the stamp of approval from the global nuclear watchdog has drawn howls of disapproval, particularly from China, and even within Japan.

………………. The China Atomic Energy Authority said that more than 70 per cent of nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima nuclear power plant fails to meet discharge limits after going through a filtration system and requires further treatment.

Its secretary general, Deng Ge, said that even if international standards are met, the IAEA cannot prove that the discharge is the only or the best option for the disposal of nuclear-contaminated water………………………………………………………..

Not letting their own government off the hook, Japanese activists said they are very disappointed by the IAEA decision, arguing that Tokyo has gone back on its promise that the water would not be released until the plan received the public’s widespread acceptance.

Even though South Korea said that it respects the nuclear watchdog’s endorsement of Japan’s plan to release treated water into the ocean, Seoul also made it clear that it would issue its own assessment of the IAEA’s findings.

The IAEA report and an earlier offer by South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to drink treated Fukushima water had clearly done little to convince the country’s activists, fisheries and seafood industries, even its consumers, many of whom had stockpiled sea salt and other seafood items…………………..

Earlier this year, Pacific island nations also called on Japan to delay the release of water from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear power plant over fears that fisheries will be contaminated…………………………
more https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3227113/global-impact-japan-nuclear-watchdog-under-intense-scrutiny-over-discharge-fukushima-nuclear

July 12, 2023 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Fukushima continuing