The Japanese government has decided to discharge a large amount of radioactive material contaminated water into the sea caused by the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear accident.
Japan has decided to strengthen and apply its own safety standards, but the idea of dumping enormous amounts of contaminated water over 1.25 million tons from the accident nuclear power plant into the sea has raised many controversies and concerns.
Japanese media reported that the Japanese government has decided at a ministerial meeting on the 13th of the local time, a'basic policy on disposal of treated water', which contains a plan to discharge contaminated water stored in the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant tank into the ocean.
Prior to discharge, most radionuclides are removed with a multi-nuclide removal facility (ALPS), but tritium (tritium) cannot be filtered out, so the idea is to mix water to lower the concentration before discharging.
It is expected that it will take about two years for actual release as it requires examination and approval by the Japan Atomic Energy Regulatory Commission.
It will be released over a long period of time from 2041 to 2051, when Japan puts it at the time of completion of decommissioning work.
According to TEPCO, as of the 18th of last month, 1.25,844 tons of contaminated water are stored in the tank at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.
Tokyo Electric Power and the Japanese government refer to the polluted water that was filtered by ALPS as'treated water'.
The Japanese government decided on a basic policy at a ministerial meeting held at the Prime Minister's residence on the morning of the 13th, saying that if the situation where water tanks are lined up at the Fukushima nuclear power plant site is not changed, there is a possibility that there is a possibility of serious disruption in decommissioning work in the future.
A plan was adopted to dilute with seawater until the radiation dose of tritium contained in contaminated water is less than 1,500 becquerels per liter and then discharge.
Japan sets the concentration limit for discharging tritium into the ocean at 60,000 becquerels per liter.
The Japanese government made this decision, evaluating that, in light of its achievements so far, stable monitoring is possible if it is released to the sea.
The content that considered the backlash of local fishermen was reflected in the basic policy.
The Japanese government and TEPCO decided to strengthen monitoring to ensure that the established emission standards are maintained, and make efforts to prevent the so-called ``Huhyohigai'' (damage from wind pyeongs) from occurring due to the discharge of contaminated water.
Huhyohigai is Japanese meaning damage caused by unfounded rumors.
The decision was made in consideration of the situation in which contaminated water is discharged, avoiding the purchase of Fukushima aquatic products or disrupting the tourism industry.
In the event of such damage, the Japanese government has decided to demand that the Tokyo Electric Power Company respond promptly, including compensation.
Neighboring countries such as Korea and China expressed great concern over the Japanese government's unilateral initiative to release contaminated water into the sea, but the basic policy decided on the 13th did not include details on this.
The discharge of contaminated water to the ocean is expected to be driven by considerable backlash and concern.
There is a possibility that it will act as a political burden while leaving the Tokyo Olympics for over three months.
Hiroshi Kishi, chairman of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives, who interviewed Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on the 7th of this month said, "The position against the release of the sea has not changed at all."
The “Democratic Action to Keep Peace and Equality” (DAPPE), an organization made up of young people in Fukushima Prefecture, held a demonstration against the release of the ocean in front of JR Fukushima Station the day before.
The Japanese civic group'Citizens' Meeting to Monitor Nuclear Power Regulations' and the international environmental movement group'FoE Japan' held a press conference on the same day calling for the cessation of the ocean emission initiative.
In addition to Japan, 311 organizations from 24 countries, including Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, have expressed their opposition to the maritime release.
The Korean government expressed serious concern about the discharge of contaminated water in the ocean, saying, "In the future, it may have a direct or indirect impact on the safety of our people and the surrounding environment." We will continue to respond by strengthening cooperation with the international community such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)," said a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday (12th).
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijen said, "For the international public interest and the health and safety of the Chinese people, China has already expressed serious concern to Japan through diplomatic channels, and Japan takes a responsible attitude to carefully deal with the wastewater treatment issue at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. He said on the 12th.