Disposal of water containing tritium The country hears opinions from related organizations such as Keidanren

Disposal of water containing tritium The country hears opinions from related organizations such as Keidanren May 11 17:38

For the first time, a meeting was held in Tokyo for the government to hear opinions from stakeholders regarding the disposal method of water containing tritium, etc., which is increasing at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Each provided their views.

Regarding the disposal of water containing radioactive materials such as tritium, in February this year, a report was prepared by the national subcommittee that the method of diluting below the standard and releasing it into the sea or the atmosphere was realistic. It is said that the final decision will be made after hearing the opinions from the relevant organizations.

Following on from Fukushima Prefecture, a hearing was held in Tokyo on the 11th, and five groups participated in the video conference.

Of these, the Keidanren executives did not list a specific disposal method, but "the disposal method is based on a scientific basis, and it is important to decide the optimal method so that the people can understand it." I said.

On the other hand, the Japan Travel Agency, which is made up of small and medium-sized travel agencies, said, "Isn't the situation that many tanks line up have a negative impact on tourism? Thorough safety management and rumors at the important time of disposal. Assuming countermeasures, ocean release may be a realistic method. "

In addition, the Japan Chain Stores Association, in which supermarkets and others participate, touched on the option to continue to store water, and said, "It is important to secure safety and be prepared not to dispose of it unless the public can feel secure." "And asked for polite information transmission.

METI will continue to hold meetings to hear opinions.

The reaction of each group ...

Katsunori Nemoto, Senior Managing Director of Keidanren, said, "It is a major premise to make a rational decision on the basis of scientific basis for the disposal method, and we want you to decide the optimal disposal method with the understanding of the people as much as possible. As a concrete measure against rumors, he proposed that a system to back up the expansion of consumption of products in the stricken areas nationwide should be created by using the hometown tax payment and disaster relief mechanisms.

"The disposal method will be the largest if it is decided through the examination of experts and the agreement of the local people," said Isamu Shimura, president of the Japan Travel Association, which consists of approximately 1200 travel companies from large to small and medium-sized in Japan. In order to minimize the reputation of agriculture, forestry and fisheries by promoting tourism, we will issue local promotion tickets that can be used for local food purchases, transportation access and multilingual notation etc. He pointed out that the infrastructure should be improved.

Kazuma Arino, managing director of the Japan Travel Agency, which consists of 5600 small and medium-sized travel agencies nationwide, said, `` The situation where a large number of treated water tanks are lined up at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant is transmitted to both Japan and overseas as a symbolic impression of the accident. Isn't there a negative impact on tourism? It is an important time to proceed with the disposal of treated water. "Regarding the disposal method," strict safety management and measures against rumors and damages are assumed. Isn't it a realistic option to choose to release to the ocean? "

Hosei Eguchi, managing director of the Japan Supermarket Association, which is made up of 82 food-based companies, said, “The sales of Fukushima-produced food have not returned to the state before the earthquake, and the problem of treated water has a new reputation. It is important that we can communicate the safety to general consumers by using SNS etc. because we can buy it only after the customer recognizes that it is safe. ” It was.

Atsushi Inoue, managing director of the Japan Chain Store Association, which makes products at supermarkets and home improvement centers all over the country, said, "There are options to release to the sea and the atmosphere, and to store it, but it is false for many people that they want to keep it if possible. It is important to secure security in the spirit of evil. It is necessary to be prepared not to release unless the public is relieved. ”Regarding the process of deciding the disposal method,“ Many people , I don't know that governments and experts have been considering disposal methods for a long time.Being aware of the gap in information leads to distrust of pushing with conclusions, so the advantage of options "Isn't there a need for a process of sharing issues that shows the disadvantages and also considers comparative judgment together?"

Opinion from the public Accepted until the 15th of next month

After a meeting held in Tokyo, Deputy Minister Matsumoto, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry responded to the press interview, and from the 6th of last month, the opinions of the general public by e-mail and FAX regarding the disposal method, the timing, and the rumor damage countermeasures. I explained that I am accepting.

With over 1,000 emails received so far, the Deputy Minister announced that he would extend the deadline of 15th of this month by one month until the 15th of next month in hopes of gathering broader views. ..

In addition, while the media reported that attention was focused on the new coronavirus, it was not appropriate to engage in efforts to hear the opinions, but Deputy Minister Matsumoto said, `` Shinse ), But on the other hand, in the situation where some decision has to be made somewhere, not listening to anything during this period is reducing opportunities. We could hold an opportunity to hear their opinions while keeping a close balance, "he said.