The nuclear wastewater crisis in Japan is not over
Japan will determine when the radioactive wastewater accumulated at the Fukushima In-Dai Nuclear Power Plant will be discharged into the sea after a comprehensive evaluation.
The discharge plan for the radioactive wastewater accumulated at the nuclear power plant, which was damaged after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, is on the country’s public opinion agenda. The Japanese government aims to alleviate concerns from neighboring countries and local fishermen that sewage can pose risks to the environment, food safety, and human health.
Matsuno Hirokazu, Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, said in a statement that they will announce the time to discharge the sewage into the sea after a thorough assessment. Matsuno, when asked about a possible change in planning to launch the evacuation to the sea in the summer of this year, replied “no change.”
Noting that the sewage will be discharged into the sea in strict compliance with safety measures, Matsuno said the public will be informed about the process through television and social media. Noting that they took into account the “bad rumours” warning from Komeito, the coalition partner of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Matsuno said they will take action “against reputational damage.”
Yamaguchi Natsuo, president of Komeito, stated that sewage should not be discharged during the swimming season, adding, “We wish that (the government) will not rush against bad rumors.” he said.
IAEA PRESIDENT IS IN TOKYO
On the other hand, the representatives of the Japanese government will meet with the president of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, and his delegation in the capital, Tokyo. Grossi will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.
Within the framework of the visit, the latest IAEA report on the safety of the radioactive wastewater discharge plan into the sea will be delivered to the Japanese government.
According to the IAEA report, the release date at sea is expected to be clarified.
As part of his trip to the Pacific countries, it is noted that Grossi will convey to South Korea and New Zealand the points of view of the IAEA, which are concerned about the environmental effects of the evacuation.
The radioactive substances formed in the pure water, which performs the cooling function of the plant’s reactors, are decomposed, except for the tritium material, thanks to the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS).
According to the plan, the liquid containing the element tritium will be diluted by reconstitution. Thus, the operator of the TEPCO facility will be able to periodically discharge the water, which increases day by day, into the sea.
Although the official schedule was not made public, it was announced that the evacuation period to the ocean would begin in the summer of this year.
CHINA AND SOUTH KOREA REACT
The previous government of Suga Yoshihide announced its plan in April 2021 to dump the sewage accumulated at the plant into the sea. Neighboring countries China and South Korea reacted to the decision.
In March 2011, nuclear meltdowns caused by the magnitude 9 earthquake and tsunami at the Fukushima Dai-Ichi Nuclear Power Plant reactor were mixed with air and the area around the power plant was declared an evacuation zone. . (AA)