An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team has arrived in Tokyo for a final review of Japan’s plan to release treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea. The plan, which has been opposed by local fishing communities and neighboring countries, involves gradually releasing the wastewater following further treatment and dilution to safe levels. The IAEA team, consisting of experts from 11 countries, will meet with officials from the government and the plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, and visit the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant during their five-day visit.
Controversial Release Plan
Japan’s plan to release the treated radioactive water into the sea has faced fierce protests from local fishing communities and neighboring countries such as South Korea, China, and Pacific Island nations. The release plan has raised concerns about safety and reputational damage. Japan sought IAEA’s assistance in ensuring that the release of the treated radioactive water meets international safety standards and to gain the understanding of other countries.
Japanese officials have assured that the water will be treated to legally releasable levels and further diluted with large amounts of seawater. They also noted that the water will be gradually released into the ocean over decades through an undersea tunnel, making it harmless to people and marine life. However, some scientists have expressed their concerns about the impact of long-term, low-dose exposure to radionuclides and suggested that the release should be delayed.
Need for Water Storage Capacity
The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant’s cooling systems were destroyed by a massive earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011, causing three reactors to melt and releasing large amounts of radiation. Water used to cool the reactor cores accumulated in about 1,000 tanks at the plant, which are expected to reach their capacity in early 2024. Japanese officials have stated that the water stored in the tanks needs to be removed to prevent accidental leaks in case of another disaster and to make room for the plant’s decommissioning.
To promote the safety of seafood from Fukushima, Japan’s government has stepped up campaigns in Japanese media and at food fairs while providing regular briefings to foreign governments, including South Korea and members of the Pacific Islands Forum.
The IAEA team’s final review of Japan’s plan to release treated radioactive water into the sea is expected to result in a report that will provide clarity on the safety standards and measures that Japan has in place to ensure the safety of the release. The plan has been controversial, but Japanese officials have assured that the release will be safe and gradual, and that the treated water will not harm people or marine life.
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