Japan is anxiously awaiting the final report from the United Nations on July 4, which is widely expected to approve a plan for the tsunami-damaged Fukushima plant to release radioactive water into the ocean over the course of 30 to 40 years, Reuters reports.
Rafael Grossi, the chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), begins his four-day visit to Japan on July 4, during which he will meet with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and deliver the results of the two-year safety review conducted by the IAEA.
Japan has not yet specified a date for the water release, pending the final review by the IAEA and official approval from the national nuclear regulatory body for Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco). The regulatory body's decision is expected to come as early as this week.
However, Japan's plan has faced strong opposition from neighboring countries, particularly China, which has criticized it as "irresponsible and unpopular" and a potential threat to food and ecological safety.
China reiterated its protest through its embassy in Japan on Tuesday, stating that the IAEA's report cannot be a pass for the water release and called for the plan's suspension. Japan's foreign ministry has expressed that it has made multiple attempts to explain the scientific basis of its stance to Chinese officials, but these efforts have been ignored.
Additionally, local Japanese fishing communities are concerned about reputational risks and further loss of business.
Under Japan's plan, approximately 1.3 mn tonnes of water used to cool the fuel rods at the Fukushima plant, which was damaged by a massive earthquake and tsunami in 2011, will be released. The water has undergone filtration to remove most radioactive elements, except for tritium, a hydrogen isotope that is difficult to separate from water. Before being released into the Pacific Ocean, the treated water will be diluted to levels well below internationally approved tritium concentration limits.
Nuclear power plants worldwide regularly release wastewater containing tritium at concentrations higher than that of TEPCO's treated water.
Despite the impending decision, South Korean consumers have already stocked up on sea salt in anticipation of the water release. Meanwhile, China's foreign ministry criticized the plan on Monday, urging the IAEA not to endorse it.
Daryo previously reported on the protests in Seoul, South Korea regarding this issue.
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