UN Watchdog Approves Japan’s Plan to Release Fukushima Waste Water into the Sea
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Sulaiman - . July 4, 2023
- . Update: July 5, 2023 1:31 am
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a UN watchdog, has ruled that Japan’s proposal to discharge wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear facility damaged by the tsunami into the sea complies with international norms. According to the IAEA’s safety analysis, the release’s environmental impact would be minimal. Japan’s plan, though supported by the IAEA, is opposed by its neighbours, particularly China and South Korea. The IAEA’s findings, the history of the Fukushima tragedy, the worries expressed by Japan’s neighbours, and the responses of local people are all explored in this article.
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Background: The Fukushima Disaster and the Accumulation of Waste Water
When a sizable tsunami swamped three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in 2011, it caused significant damage. A magnitude 9.0 earthquake brought on the tsunami. The tragedy is second only to Chernobyl regarding historical nuclear catastrophe significance. The surrounding area, which is still an exclusion zone today, evacuated almost 150,000 people. The plant’s decommissioning process has started but will likely take decades to complete.
Significant volumes of contaminated wastewater have been produced due to the continual injection of enormous amounts of water to cool the damaged reactors. While most radioactive substances have been effectively filtered out, tritium and carbon-14 have been particularly challenging to extract from the water. As a result, the Fukushima facility currently generates about 100 cubic meters of wastewater per day, with a capacity of 1.3 million cubic meters in on-site storage tanks.
The IAEA’s Approval and Japan’s Plan
According to a two-year safety study by the IAEA, Japan’s proposal to discharge the treated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean complies with international norms. The agency concluded that the discharge would have little influence on the environment. The Fukushima plant’s operator, Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco), received praise from the IAEA in May for its detailed and accurate assessments of radiation levels in the treated water.
In terms of tritium and carbon-14 levels, Japan has insisted that the water that will be released, which has been mixed with seawater, complies with safety regulations. It is also important to remember that nuclear power stations worldwide regularly release wastewater with tritium levels higher than those detected in the Fukushima-treated water.
Opposition from China, South Korea, and Local Communities
Japan’s plan has faced fierce opposition from its neighbours, namely China and South Korea, despite the IAEA’s clearance. The plan has drawn harsh criticism from China, which cautioned the IAEA against endorsing it. In response, out of worry for food safety, South Korea stocked up on sea salt.
The local fishing community have also vehemently opposed the scheme. They contend that the wastewater release will further harm their already tarnished reputation and way of life. They are worried about the potential effects on marine ecosystems and consumers’ perception of tainted seafood.
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Based on a two-year safety review, the International Atomic Energy Agency’s approval of Japan’s plan to release wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea has generated mixed reactions. Although the IAEA claims that the release will have little environmental impact, China, South Korea, and nearby fishing villages continue to oppose it. To preserve regional cooperation and public confidence as the situation develops, Japan must continue to address these worries and promote transparency in its decision-making.
