Japan is embarking on the deliberate release of a substantial volume of treated radioactive water stemming from the damaged Fukushima nuclear facility into the vast expanse of the ocean. This daring decision comes despite vehement objections from the Chinese government.
The Japanese authorities assert that this maneuver poses no threat to safety, backed by an affirmative assessment from the United Nations’ nuclear oversight body, which deems the environmental impact of the Fukushima radioactive water release as insignificant.
A staggering one million metric tonnes of water are slated for release, with Japan emphasising its indispensable role in the comprehensive decommissioning of the nuclear plant, a process set in motion more than a decade ago.
The calamitous earthquake of 2011 had a catastrophic effect on the Fukushima Nuclear facility, incapacitating its cooling systems and leading to the meltdown of three reactors. This, in turn, resulted in water contamination and the persistent issue of leaks. By the onset of 2024, the storage containers housing the previously leaked and now treated water will reach their storage capacity, necessitating a decisive course of action. However, the planned discharge of this water, scheduled to commence this Thursday, has triggered censure from various nations, most notably China.
Wang Wenbin, the spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, publicly admonished Japan in July, accusing the nation of acting with egotism and arrogance and failing to engage in extensive consultations with the international community concerning the release of this water.
China has taken a resolute stance, imposing a ban on seafood imports from ten Japanese prefectures, including Fukushima and the capital city, Tokyo. In cases where seafood originates from other prefectures, it is subject to rigorous radioactivity examinations and must furnish evidence of its production outside the ten prohibited regions.
Japan, in response, asserts that the water has undergone an intensive filtration process, effectively eliminating the majority of radioactive components, with the exception of tritium, an isotope of hydrogen that resists separation from water. Prior to release into the Pacific, the treated water will undergo extensive dilution, ensuring it falls well below the internationally sanctioned levels of tritium concentration.
China’s Strong Opposition to Japan’s Fukushima Water Disposal Plan
Regionally, China has emerged as one of the fiercest opponents to Japan’s plans. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin has accused Tokyo of being “extremely selfish and irresponsible” for moving forward with the disposal of the water. He emphasised that the ocean should be treated as a common good for humanity and not as a dumping ground for Japan’s nuclear-contaminated water.
“China strongly urges Japan to stop its wrongdoing, cancel the ocean discharge plan, communicate with neighboring countries with sincerity and goodwill, dispose of the nuclear-contaminated water in a responsible manner, and accept rigorous international oversight,” Wang stated during a news conference.
In parallel, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee expressed strong opposition to the discharge of wastewater from the Fukushima power plant. In response to Japan’s announcement, Hong Kong introduced import restrictions on certain Japanese food products.