The Japanese government is engaged in a diplomatic war ahead of the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant this spring. Recently, Japan has been trying to persuade neighboring Pacific countries to urge Japan to delay the discharge of contaminated water.
The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs released the details of the meeting with Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) delegation on the 6th.
Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa said, “The ocean discharge of treated water from ALPS will be pursued after ensuring that it does not harm the environment and human health in accordance with the promise made at the Pacific Islands Summit (PALM).” Japan uses the expression ‘treated water’ instead of contaminated water.
ALPS is a facility that purifies nuclear power plant contaminated water containing radioactive nuclear material. However, radioactive substances that are difficult to separate, such as tritium (tritium), are not completely removed even through ALPS.
It is for this reason that PIF Secretary General Henry Puna objected in January, saying, “There will be no release until all parties in our region have confirmed that it is safe.”
A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry also denounced, saying, “The Japanese government’s selfish approach to push ahead with the release of radioactively contaminated water despite concerns and doubts both inside and outside the country is bound to bring strong dissatisfaction and criticism.”
Previously, TEPCO announced a policy to mix contaminated water with water, dilute the concentration of tritium to 1/40 of the standard value, and discharge it into the sea 1km in front of the nuclear power plant around July.
For Japan, which is facing the release of water, opposition from neighboring countries is an obstacle.
The Japanese government is persuading them to receive feedback from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) along with domestic and foreign safety standards. The logic is to resolve concerns by conducting monitoring before and after release and transparently disclosing the accumulated information.
In fact, there are countries that have been persuaded by Japan’s diplomatic war. On the 2nd, Micronesia turned 180 degrees from its previous position, saying, “We cannot tolerate the destruction of marine resources that support people’s livelihoods.”
Micronesia President David Panuelo even said, “I believe in Japan’s technological prowess and I am no longer afraid or concerned about this problem.”
Meanwhile, at the meeting that day, Foreign Minister Hayashi and Prime Minister Brown only agreed on the importance of intensive dialogue on the issue.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.