Controversy revived 10 years after the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster

10 years after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Japanese government cabinet released a large amount of radioactive waste water from the nuclear power plant into the sea, which caused strong dissatisfaction between the Chinese mainland, South Korea and Taiwan. 

The Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant's wastewater discharge plan has been debated for many years, and international environmental protection groups like Green and Equality have also been opposed to the Japanese plan. 

The Japanese government's cabinet passed the relevant decision after a special meeting was held on Tuesday morning. The official Kyodo News Agency reported that Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said at the meeting: "To promote reactor scrapping, disposal is an unavoidable issue. The government will step forward to ensure safety and take all measures to eliminate image damage."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China immediately released the "Remarks by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs." The spokesperson said: "As a close neighbor and stakeholder of Japan, China expresses serious concerns about this."

"The Japanese side has not exhausted safe disposal methods, regardless of domestic and foreign doubts and opposition, and without full consultation with neighboring countries and the international community, unilaterally decided to dispose of the nuclear waste water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident by way of drainage. This approach is extremely inconsistent. Being responsible will seriously damage international public health and safety and the vital interests of people in neighboring countries."

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian further stated in a regular press conference later on the same day in response to a question from a reporter from the Japan Broadcasting Association (NHK): "The highest level of nuclear accident occurred at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The waste water produced is the same as that of a normal operating nuclear power plant. Wastewater is completely different, otherwise the Japanese would not need to seal the water in a jar in these years. The two should not be confused."

Zhao Lijian said: ‘The assessment report of the IAEA expert group pointed out that if the tritium-containing wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant is discharged into the ocean, it will have an impact on the marine environment and public health of neighboring countries... Regarding the opinions of these authorities and experts, the Japanese side They should respond honestly, and not turn a deaf ear to ears, let alone dump the Fukushima nuclear waste water into the sea regardless of international public interest."

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian further stated in a regular press conference later on the same day in response to a question from a reporter from the Japan Broadcasting Association (NHK): "The highest level of nuclear accident occurred at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The waste water produced is the same as that of a normal operating nuclear power plant. Wastewater is completely different, otherwise the Japanese would not need to seal the water in a jar in these years. The two should not be confused."

Zhao Lijian said: ‘The assessment report of the IAEA expert group pointed out that if the tritium-containing wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant is discharged into the ocean, it will have an impact on the marine environment and public health of neighboring countries... Regarding the opinions of these authorities and experts, the Japanese side They should respond honestly, and not turn a deaf ear to ears, let alone dump the Fukushima nuclear waste water into the sea regardless of international public interest."