Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Opposes Release of Tritium-Containing Water into the Sea Young People Demonstrate July 13 at 6:01

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While the government is considering how to dispose of water containing tritium accumulated in the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station of TEPCO, young people in Fukushima prefecture opposed the release to the sea, saying that "the public's understanding is not advanced". We had a demonstration march.

Regarding the disposal of water containing tritium, which is a radioactive substance that continues to accumulate at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the national subcommittee said in February that it is realistic to release it into the sea or the atmosphere by diluting it below the standard. The report is compiled and the government is working to obtain opinions from local governments and related organizations before making the final decision.

Against this backdrop, a group made up of youth in their 20s and 30s living in Fukushima Prefecture on the 12th said that "the public's understanding is not advanced" and appealed against the release to the sea etc. in a downtown area of ​​Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture. I made a march.

About 50 people, including the fishermen in the prefecture, took part in the banners and so forth, expressing their thoughts and ideas.

This group is engaged in activities that encourage young people to actively engage in social issues, and despite the fact that the disposal of water will affect the future of Fukushima, such as damage to the rumors, it is of great interest to the younger generation. He planned a march with a sense of crisis that it was not rising.

Mr. Taiga Sato, the representative of the group, said, “There are many people who do not know the disposal problem even in the questionnaire that we conducted, and the discussion has not deepened. If you send it from young people, you will be interested in the same generation” It was.

A high school student who participated said, "I didn't know that I was trying to decide on the disposal. I would like to consider this issue in the future."

Current situation of contaminated water and correspondence in Fukushima prefecture

At the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, the melted-down nuclear fuel is injected by water to cool it, so even today, around 170 tons of contaminated water is generated every day.

We are collecting and removing radioactive substances, but some radioactive substances such as tritium, which are difficult to remove, remain, so about 1.2 million tons are currently stored in about 1,000 tanks.

TEPCO says that the current plan is that all tanks will be full in the summer of two years from now.

Regarding the method of disposing of water containing tritium, etc., in February this year, the national subcommittee said that it is realistic to release it into the sea or the atmosphere by diluting it below the standard. It can be carried out more reliably."

To determine the disposal method, the government has held a “listening to hear from stakeholders” four times so far in Fukushima Prefecture and Tokyo, and is planning to hold the fifth meeting in Fukushima City on the 17th of this month.

In addition, we are also soliciting opinions from the general public, and the deadline that was originally until May has been extended three times, and now it is until the end of this month.

However, the government has not made it clear how the feedback received from these efforts will be reflected in the decision on disposal.

Against this backdrop, in Fukushima Prefecture, 20 municipal councils have so far passed a written opinion and resolutions, of which 13 municipal councils oppose the release to the sea and the atmosphere, and other councils also make careful judgments. Is seeking.

In addition, the Fukushima Prefectural Assembly has also passed a written opinion requesting that the opinions of the citizens of the prefecture be respected to the maximum extent and be carefully decided.

Thoughts and activities of young people

"DAPPE", which was demoed on the 12th, is a group made up of about 50 people in their 20s and 30s living in Fukushima Prefecture, and is calling for young people to actively participate in social issues.

Disposal of water containing tritium is a problem that will affect many people in the future, such as depending on the conclusion, which may contribute to reputational damage, but there is a sense of crisis that it may be decided without the opinions of the younger generation. Since last month, I have been handing out leaflets on the streets of Fukushima City and other places almost every day since the last month to appeal for wide-ranging discussions.

However, about 80% of the 75 respondents in a questionnaire conducted by the group for young people in front of JR Koriyama Station for four days until the 12th said that disposal of water containing tritium is being considered. I don't know."

How can we get the younger generation interested?

Members hold online meetings several times a week for discussion.

At the meeting last week, it was confirmed that we will focus on making calls using the Internet such as SNS and video distribution sites.

On top of that, from the members, "I have to raise everyone's sense of ownership by appealing that it is not a problem only in Fukushima, nor a problem only in Japan," he said. Our next generation will not be able to oppose the decision we are making right now, so we need to speak up for those who can't speak up."

Mr. Taiga Sato, 34, who is the representative of the group, said, “There are quite a few people who are willing to speak out positively or do not feel that way. By raising their own voice, I would like to encourage many people and express their opinions to many people.It may be a detour, but by raising public opinion in Fukushima Prefecture, we know that people in Fukushima Prefecture think this way. I think it's important to get them."

Expert "on opportunity to have national discussion again"

Professor Ryota Koyama of Fukushima University, who was also a member of the national subcommittee and who was familiar with the reputational damage of fisheries and agriculture, said, ``I have no idea how long and how discussions will be held by the government. Is a problem," he said, "deciding the disposal method while the interest and understanding of many people are not advanced is likely to cause further rumors."

In addition, he said, "It should be an opportunity to publicly discuss again that there are such problems even about 10 years after the nuclear power plant accident. What kind of reaction to the disposal of water containing tritium, Fukushima and outside the prefecture? It should be carefully checked if there is a gap, and it will take time to proceed carefully."