Prime Minister Suga met with Chairman Kishi of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives over how to dispose of water containing radioactive substances such as tritium, which is increasing at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.
Prime Minister Suga expressed his intention to decide the government's policy based on an expert report that diluting the concentration below the standard and releasing it into the sea is a more reliable and feasible method.
Regarding the method of disposing of water containing tritium etc., in February last year, a subcommittee of the country compiled a report that it is realistic to dilute it to a concentration below the standard and release it into the sea or the atmosphere. We are considering a disposal method, but there are concerns from the local community.
Prime Minister Suga had a 30-minute meeting with Chairman Kishi of the All Fisheries Federation and the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives at the Prime Minister's Office on the afternoon of the 7th.
In this, Prime Minister Suga acknowledged that steadily progressing the decommissioning of nuclear power plants is a prerequisite for recovery from the earthquake, and that disposal of water containing tritium is an unavoidable problem. ..
After that, based on the expert's report that diluting the concentration below the standard and releasing it into the sea is a more reliable and feasible method, he conveyed the idea of deciding the government policy and asked for understanding.
In response, Chairman Kishi said, "I absolutely disagree with the recommendations of experts who do not get the understanding of fishermen and the public."
After that, he requested, "I don't know what kind of policy the country will make in the end, but if it does, I would like you to take responsibility for explaining it to fishermen and the public and taking measures against reputational damage."
After this, Chairman Kishi told reporters, "We have requested the government to absolutely oppose the release of the ocean, and that way of thinking does not change at all. We take responsibility for the government. It is extremely important to get it. "
Chairman of All Fisheries Federation "Absolutely against the release of treated water into the ocean"
Hiroshi Kishi, chairman of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives, told reporters after the meeting with Prime Minister Suga that the idea that the release of treated water into the ocean would never change.
On top of that, on the premise of the proposal made by a subcommittee of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, which is made up of experts, that "the release to the ocean can be carried out more reliably", in order to dispel the anxiety of the people. I have listed five points that the country should take responsibility for.
Specifically,
▽ Responsibly explain to fishermen and the public based on dissenting opinions,
▽ Clearly show how to deal with reputational damage that always occurs in any disposal,
▽ Safety of treated water Clearly indicate how to secure sex,
▽ Clearly indicate measures that not only Fukushima Prefecture but also neighboring prefectures and fishermen nationwide can continue fishing to their offspring with peace of mind,
and
▽ Keeping in mind that the half-life of tritium, which halves the amount of radioactive substances, is more than 12 years, we will continue to store it on the site of the nuclear power plant and continue to consider new treatment methods.
He also touched on a series of recent scandals by TEPCO, saying, "In the process of decommissioning, there is an extremely strong concern when considering ensuring safety," and the government will take responsibility for its efforts. I asked for.
"Tritium" that remains even after contaminated water treatment
At the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, water injection to cool the melted nuclear fuel of Units 1 to 3 continues, and rainwater and groundwater continue to flow into the building, contaminating at a pace of 140 tons a day. Water is being generated.
This contaminated water is sent to a dedicated purification facility and many radioactive substances are removed using an adsorbent, but the radioactive substance called "tritium" is difficult to remove and remains in the treated water.
On the premises of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, there are more than 1000 large tanks for storing the treated water, and 90% of the capacity of about 1.37 million tons is already filled with water.
TEPCO has indicated that the current plan is that the tank will be full after next fall.
Regarding the disposal of this water, last year, a national subcommittee made up of experts said that if tritium was diluted below the standard, it would not have any health effects, and "it is realistic to release it into the sea or the atmosphere." , "The sea is more reliable" and so on.
On the other hand, there are deep-rooted concerns about the damage caused by rumors from the local community and agriculture, forestry and fisheries industry. Was issued, and there were voices requesting specific measures against reputational damage.
Based on the opinions of these parties, the government has indicated that it will consider issues such as disposal methods and measures against rumors, and then decide on a disposal policy at an appropriate time.
Concerned about rekindling damage caused by rumors released to the ocean
In the sea off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture, "test operations" have been continued, in which small-scale fishing is carried out while inspecting the radioactive substances of fish and confirming their safety, since the nuclear accident was common.
Ten years have passed since the nuclear accident, and ▽ radioactive substances exceeding national standards have hardly been detected in seafood, and ▽ the restoration of fishing ports and markets has progressed. "Trial operation"
ended at the end of
March
.
In the future, we plan to gradually increase the landings and shift to "full-scale operation" over several years.
Under these circumstances, if treated water containing tritium is released into the sea, fishermen in Fukushima Prefecture are concerned that the damage caused by rumors will reignite and the efforts made so far will become a bubble of water.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato "Early and Responsible Conclusion"
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato said at a press conference in the afternoon, "I am not present at the meeting, so I am not aware of any specific exchanges, but many people have been involved in the handling of treated water, including today's exchange of opinions. The government wants to take responsibility for drawing conclusions as soon as possible, taking into account the accumulated discussions. "
Liberal Democratic Party Chairman Masatoshi Shimomura "The government needs to decide responsibly"
At a press conference, Liberal Democratic Party chairman Shimomura said, "It's a very important discussion, and I think Prime Minister Suga can't leave it alone. The number of tanks has increased, and the site of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station The government is under pressure and the government needs to make a firm and responsible decision. I would like you to make a decision based on a polite explanation that will gain the understanding of the local community and how to deal with the damage caused by rumors. "