TOKYO: In a move that has sparked intense debate and concern, the Japanese government is poised to start the release of treated yet still radioactive water from the decimated Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station into the Pacific Ocean.
Following a comprehensive two-year review, the United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has given its approval to the controversial plan.
Japanese officials are set to present the plan to the local community and neighbouring countries in the near future. These discussions come in response to growing apprehension about the potential consequences of releasing the water, which is currently stored in over 1,000 immense tanks located in the vicinity of the power station, according to Japanese media.
Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the IAEA, declared on Tuesday that the agency’s thorough safety review had determined that the plan adhered to relevant international safety standards. Grossi emphasized that the controlled and gradual discharge of the treated water into the sea would have an insignificant radiological impact on both people and the environment.
To underscore the significance of this development, Grossi is scheduled to visit the Fukushima site on Wednesday, accompanied by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
1.3 million tonnes water
The accumulation of more than 1.3 million tonnes of water at the plant, equivalent to 500 Olympic-sized swimming pools, has transpired since the calamitous tsunami of March 2011 wreaked havoc on the power station’s electricity and cooling systems, resulting in the worst nuclear catastrophe since the Chornobyl disaster.
The bulk of this water originates from the process of cooling the three crippled reactors, while an extensive pumping and filtration system known as the advanced liquid processing system (ALPS) filters out the majority of the radioactive elements, enabling the extraction of tons of newly contaminated water each day.
Nonetheless, since the announcement of the plan to release the water in April 2021, it has encountered vehement opposition from Japan’s neighbouring countries, Pacific island nations, and local fishing and agricultural communities in and around Fukushima. These concerned parties harbour deep-seated anxieties about the potential impact on their livelihoods.
While Japan’s government and the IAEA assert that the discharge of the treated water poses minimal risks, the contentious nature of the decision underscores the necessity for a thorough examination of all potential consequences.
