Regarding the disposal method of water containing radioactive substances such as tritium, which is increasing at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, it was found that the government held a ministerial meeting on the 13th next week and decided to release it to the sea. I did.
It is said that it will strengthen monitoring to check the concentration of tritium before and after release and take thorough measures against reputational damage, and will provide careful compensation for damage that still occurs.
Regarding water containing tritium, etc., the national subcommittee compiled a report stating that it is more realistic to dilute the concentration below the standard and release it into the sea or the atmosphere, and that it is more reliable in the sea. On the 7th, the Prime Minister made final adjustments by meeting with Chairman Kishi of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives.
As a result, it was found that the government held a ministerial meeting on the 13th next week and decided to release it to the sea.
Preparing to release from the specific site of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in prospect the after two years to, is when release You are dilute the concentration of tritium up to one of the 40 minutes of national standards.
This is about one-seventh of the drinking water standard set by the WHO = World Health Organization, and it is said that local governments and fisheries will be involved in strengthening monitoring to monitor the concentration of tritium before and after release.
In addition, with the cooperation of the IAEA = International Atomic Energy Agency, it is said that it will disseminate highly transparent and objective information both domestically and internationally to suppress rumors.
In addition, TEPCO will provide polite compensation for damages caused by rumors, such as support for fishermen, sales promotion of local products, and attraction of tourists.
In addition, a new meeting will be set up by the relevant ministers to monitor the implementation status and take additional measures flexibly as needed, but the government ensures safety because local concerns are deep-rooted. Thorough measures to suppress rumors will be required.
What is the process up to release?
Water containing tritium, which continues to accumulate at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, cannot be released immediately even if the policy to release it into the sea is decided.
Currently, the concentration of tritium contained in the water stored in the tanks on the premises exceeds the national standard for releasing it into the environment, so it cannot be released as it is and must be diluted with seawater.
Therefore, it is necessary to create new equipment such as pumps and pipes that take in seawater.
In addition, since the concentration of radioactive substances other than tritium also exceeds the standard, it is necessary to reduce the concentration by using treatment equipment again until the concentration of radioactive substances other than tritium falls below the standard.
The construction and operation of new equipment needed to dilute tritium will also need to be reviewed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
TEPCO has indicated that this will take about two years.
What are the national standards and concentrations at the time of release?
The national standard for releasing radioactive materials into the environment is 60,000 becquerels or less per liter of tritium.
If it is decided to carry out an ocean release, the country will dilute it to 1500 becquerels per liter, which is 1 / 40th of the standard.
At the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, groundwater is pumped up around the building and released into the sea in order to control the amount of contaminated water generated. The voluntary standard is less than 1500 becquerels per liter.
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Kajiyama "Transparency of information is important"
At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on the 9th, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Kajiyama explained the measures against rumors that are concerned about the disposal of water containing radioactive substances such as tritium. It is important to disseminate highly transparent information. "
On that basis, Minister Kajiyama said, "When disposing of treated water, the IAEA = International Atomic Energy Agency is supposed to objectively confirm the safety and disseminate it with high transparency both domestically and internationally. It also helps to curb rumors, and I want to take the initiative and take responsibility for the measures. "
Agriculture Minister Nogami "Important support measures for concerns about reputational damage"
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Nogami said at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on the 9th, "The treated water is released while we are worried about the fishermen who have been working hard for reconstruction since the nuclear accident. It's only natural to be concerned about the impact of this. "
On top of that, "There is concern about the occurrence of reputational damage regardless of the disposal method. We will take support measures at each stage of production, distribution, and consumption while giving due consideration to the points requested by fishermen. Is important. "
Regarding the impact on exports, Minister Nogami said, "We would like to continue to cooperate with related ministries and agencies to carefully explain to the countries to which we export so that regulations that are not based on scientific grounds will not have an impact. ".
Environment Minister Koizumi "Postponement should not be a hindrance to reconstruction"
Minister of the Environment Koizumi said at a meeting after the Cabinet meeting on the morning of the 9th over the disposal method of water containing radioactive substances such as tritium, which is increasing at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The issue of rumors should not be a hindrance to reconstruction. No matter what release method is decided, the issue of rumors will arise. Since the Minister of the Environment is the chair of the monitoring coordination meeting, the issue of rumors will arise. We will do our best to respond to this, "he said. If it is officially decided, he will work on monitoring radioactive materials and disseminating information both domestically and internationally.
Voices of dissatisfaction from residents of Fukushima
Regarding the water containing radioactive substances such as tritium that accumulates at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, the government has decided to release it to the sea. There are voices of dissatisfaction.
A man in his 70s in Soma City said, "I would like to ask politicians what they are doing to politicians who decide only policies and do not show countermeasures, even though there is a high possibility that reputational damage will recur if released into the ocean. I want you to be close to the locals who have been suffering from rumors for the past 10 years. "
A man in his 80s in Soma City said, "I feel that the government has been holding formal briefings and discussions about the release of the ocean. I want you to make a decision after listening to your true intentions. I want you to take responsibility with TEPCO and make detailed and reliable decommissioning progress. "
An 18-year-old junior college student whose father and grandfather fished in Soma said, "When the reconstruction is progressing and the damage caused by rumors is decreasing, when water containing radioactive substances such as tritium is washed away into the sea, the fathers will also I'm worried that I won't be able to catch fish. I'm also worried that I'll be able to pay my own school expenses, and I'd like you to handle it properly by means other than flushing it into the sea. " I did.
China "should be decided carefully"
Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, said at a press conference on the 9th, "The Japanese government should take a responsible attitude toward its own people, neighboring countries and the international community."
"We should disclose information in a rigorous, accurate and transparent manner about the potential impact of disposal methods and make careful decisions in full consultation with neighboring countries."
South Korea "Continue close discussion"
The South Korean government has been concerned about the impact of the release into the sea.
A spokesman for the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs Choi Young-sam said at a regular press conference on the 8th, "It is necessary to disclose information to the Japanese government, comply with environmental standards accepted by the international community, and conduct objective and transparent verification. I have emphasized it again. "
He added, "We will continue to hold close discussions with international organizations such as the IAEA and all interested parties, including the Government of Japan."
Following the nuclear accident, the South Korean government still bans the import of marine products from eight prefectures such as Fukushima, and local governments and civil society groups oppose the release of water containing radioactive substances such as tritium into the sea. doing.
Taiwan "continue to watch"
Taiwan's Foreign Minister Wu * Shaw said on the 7th when Prime Minister Suga met with Chairman Kishi of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives, at a press conference with foreign media about how to dispose of water containing tritium, etc. "I want you to continue to communicate with Taiwan," he said. "We will continue to pay close attention to the fact that any method of disposal can have more or less impact on Taiwan."
* The show is "Kanehen" and "Ritto"
Experts about when to dispose
Takami Morita, a senior researcher at the Fisheries Research and Education Agency's Fisheries Resources Research Institute, who served as a member of the national subcommittee, said, "Fisheries in Fukushima Prefecture" Has just entered the transition period to full-scale operations. Fishers are opposed to it because it is still suffering from rumors, and this decision will not be accepted until reconstruction is underway. Since it is okay to expand the site, we should make a space to put the tank and continue to store the treated water, wipe out the damage caused by rumors and proceed with the reconstruction, and then dispose of it. " I am.