Chinanews, April 12, a comprehensive report, regarding the nuclear sewage stored in the Tokyo Electric Power Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the Japanese government is basically determined to be treated in the form of putting it into the ocean, and a cabinet meeting will be held on April 13 at the earliest. And formally decided.

Japan’s move was opposed by local residents and the international community.

According to reports, the storage tank for nuclear sewage is expected to reach its storage limit by the fall of 2022. Japan intends to step up its response in order not to cause obstacles to waste dump operations.

But in the face of current voices, can Japan really "fall down"?

Data map: In 2014, Tokyo Electric Power Company stated that a 1,000-ton sewage storage tank at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant had a leak.

["Can't put it down, can't drag anymore"]

　　According to reports, due to the continuous flow of groundwater and rainwater into the building of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant that was destroyed by the earthquake and tsunami, water contaminated with high-concentration radioactive substances continued to be produced there.

After Tokyo Electric Power uses specialized equipment "Multi-Nuclide Removal Equipment" (ALPS) to purify nuclear sewage, the amount of treated water produced has been increasing.

The treated water has been kept in many storage tanks.

However, the treated water contains tritium, a radioactive substance that cannot be fully eliminated by current technology.

　　Tokyo Electric Power has prepared a total of about 1,000 water storage tanks, 90% of which are currently full, and more than 1.2 million tons of treated sewage are stored.

The total capacity of all water storage facilities is approximately 1.37 million tons, which is expected to reach its limit in the fall of 2022.

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that although there is a large area of ​​open space in the nuclear power plant, the authorities plan to use it as a waste dump and store nuclear residues and nuclear fuel. There is no plan for extra open space to build a new water storage tank, and the water storage tank needs to be removed. .

　　"If the storage tank is always here, it will pose a risk to future waste furnace work." On February 9, the propaganda officer of Tokyo Electric Power Fukushima First Waste Furnace Promotion Company looked up at the huge storage tank and sighed.

　　In 2020, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga stated on many occasions that he could not “delay” the issue of the Fukushima nuclear sewage discharge, saying that he would make a decision as soon as possible. In order to secure the site, the storage tank needs to be removed.

　　In March 2021, Yoshihide Suga once again stated in a parliamentary defense and other occasions: "It should not be put on hold indefinitely.

　　The disposal policy will be finalized at an appropriate time.

"

Data map: On August 8, 2014 local time, in Fukushima, Japan, people demonstrated against the Tokyo Electric Power Company's discharge of sewage into the sea.

[Domestic and international opposition, public assembly]

　　Although the Japanese government is discussing ways to discharge it into the sea, fishery personnel who are worried about the damage to their image are strongly opposed.

Local people in Fukushima held a protest rally, holding up placards such as "The ocean is crying" and "Against the discharge of tritium-containing wastewater into the ocean" to oppose the relevant plans of the Japanese government and hope that the government will not unilaterally force a decision.

　　According to statistics from the non-governmental environmental group that organized the rally, 41 of the 59 municipal assemblies in Fukushima prefecture did not approve of the plan to discharge nuclear sewage into the sea.

As of December 2020, the environmental protection group has collected 450,000 signatures from Japanese citizens opposing the plan to treat nuclear sewage into the sea.

　　On the other hand, it was reported that Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga had a meeting with Hiroshi Kishi, chairman of the Japan National Fisheries Cooperative Association.

After the meeting, Kishi Hiroshi said that he still opposed the plan to discharge nuclear sewage into the sea.

　　Environmental groups and others mentioned the possibility that Japan's move would violate international law.

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea stipulates that "all countries have the obligation to protect and preserve the marine environment."

To avoid cross-border environmental disasters, "all necessary measures should be taken."

　　The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea also stipulates that relevant countries should notify international agencies and relevant countries when "there is an imminent danger of damage to the marine environment due to pollution".

　　China, South Korea and other neighboring countries have previously opposed Japan's plan.

　　On April 9, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian stated at a regular press conference on the 9th that the leakage of radioactive materials caused by the Japanese nuclear accident has had a profound impact on the marine environment, food safety and human health.

The Japanese government should uphold a highly responsible attitude towards its nationals, neighboring countries, and the international community, thoroughly assess the possible impact of the Fukushima nuclear power plant's tritium-containing wastewater treatment plan, and proactively and promptly disclose information in a strict, accurate, open, and transparent manner. , Make cautious decisions on the basis of full consultation with neighboring countries.

　　Ren Junze, chairman of the Central Committee of the Korea Fisheries Cooperative Association, had previously met with the Japanese Embassy Counselor Nagai Masato, and opposed the idea of ​​Japan discharging nuclear sewage into the sea.

The Governor of South Korea’s Jeju Province Won Heirong also urged the Japanese government to provide information and initiate consultations.

It also stated that "if Japan refuses, it will file a lawsuit in South Korea and Japan."

　　In addition, due to concerns about pollution, there are still 15 countries and regions that maintain import restrictions on foods made in Fukushima and even Japan.

Data map: Employees of Tokyo Electric Power Company in Japan and media reporters dressed in protective clothing entered the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant No. 4 Response Building for investigation.

　　[International Atomic Energy Agency or participate in supervision]

　　According to reports, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is more likely to participate in monitoring operations regarding Japan’s drainage.

Japan’s Kyodo News reported that, in a situation where opinions about safety and image damage are deeply ingrained, the government is counting on the scientific information dissemination capabilities of international institutions.

The IAEA also showed a willingness to agree.

　　IAEA was established in July 1957 to promote the peaceful use of atomic energy, etc., and is headquartered in Vienna.

The organization is composed of nuclear experts and others. Since 2009, Yoshiya Amano (deceased) has served as the director general.

　　IAEA Director General Grossi visited Japan in February 2020 to inspect the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

When meeting with Hiroshi Kajiyama, Japan's economic industry, Grossi once stated that the IAEA "will provide support" when Japan discharges nuclear sewage in the future.

This may include confirming the implementation status, supervising the accuracy of radioactive material monitoring, etc.

　　In December of the same year, Grossi revealed in an interview with Kyodo News that the IAEA is willing to send an international supervision team if the Japanese side requests it.

Data map: In 2017, Tokyo Electric Power Company announced the first use of underwater robots to capture the specific conditions inside Unit 3 of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

TEPCO analyzed that the nuclear residue was likely to have flowed to the bottom of the containment vessel.

(Video screenshot)

　　[The impact is far-reaching, you can’t "fall it down"]

　　Korean media pointed out that if Japan’s nuclear sewage enters the sea, the polluted seawater will reach Jeju Island in 220 days and the west coast of South Korea in 400 days.

　　The German Antarctic Ocean Agency warned that if Japan discharges all its wastewater into the sea, within half a year, the entire Pacific Ocean will face a high degree of radiation threat, including the United States on the other side of the ocean.

　　By then, not only coastal residents will be directly harmed, but the marine environment and organisms will also be polluted, which will eventually cause secondary harm to the human body.

　　Japan’s “New Overseas Chinese News” commented that the discharge of nuclear sewage cannot simply be attributed to Japan’s internal affairs. After all, with the flow of ocean currents, its impact will cross national borders and will “radiate” to the public welfare and public welfare of neighboring countries and the international community. interest.

　　The commentary pointed out that Japan often incarnates itself as "the only nuclear-weapon victim in the world." Then the Japanese government is well aware of the long-term impact of nuclear radiation on human life and health and the natural environment. There are many side effects and sequelae, even after decades. It is still not completely resolved.

　　As a member of the international community, Japan's dumping of its nuclear sewage into the Pacific Ocean is not only not what a responsible country should do, but it will also lower Japan's image and credibility in the international community.

　　As a result, the Japanese government cannot simply "fall down", but should strengthen cooperation with neighboring countries and the international community in exchange for understanding and trust from all parties.

　　At present, it is still 20 to 30 years before the Japanese government and Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) plan to complete the waste furnace of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

The original plan was to take out nuclear residue from Unit 2 in 2022, but the status of Units 1 and 3 is still unclear.

It is speculated that there are 900 tons of nuclear residue, but the situation is not yet known and there is no way to deal with it.

　　Even more surprising is that according to Kyodo News quoted by TEPCO, among the containers storing waste and rubble at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, there are about 4,000 of the containers that cannot be used to grasp the details of the contents.

　　According to reports, in the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant site, a gel-like mass with a large amount of radiation was found on the surface of the container area in March, which may have leaked from the corroded container.

As a result, criticisms of TEPCO's sloppy management have risen.

　　In order to achieve net zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050, Japan has positioned nuclear power plants as a pillar alongside renewable energy.

If Japan has been unable to find a way to deal with the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, the discussion of energy strategy will not make progress.

(Finish)