The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) technical work expert group on the disposal of nuclear-contaminated water in Fukushima, Japan, visited Japan on January 16 to continue a comprehensive assessment and review of the safety of the nuclear-contaminated water discharge plan.

　　At a press conference held on the 20th, Gustavo Caruso, a coordinating official of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said that this investigation mainly listened to the Japan Atomic Energy Regulatory Commission’s review of the nuclear contaminated water discharge plan, including the discharge of sea water. Countermeasures before, during and after sea discharge.

The report of this visit to Japan review will be published within 3 months.

　　In the second quarter of this year, the International Atomic Energy Agency will visit Japan again to conduct a comprehensive review and summarize the final report, but the completion time of the final report cannot be determined at present.

Regarding when Japan will discharge sewage into the sea, Gustavo Caruso said that the International Atomic Energy Agency, as a neutral agency, is only responsible for reviewing whether the discharge plan meets international standards and will not interfere with the discharge schedule. Continue to monitor.

　　According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, the working group held talks with relevant personnel from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Commission, and Tokyo Electric Power Company in Tokyo, and went to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant to review the preparations for the construction of emission facilities.

　　In 2011, the huge tsunami caused by the "3.11" earthquake in Japan hit the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, resulting in nuclear meltdown of the cores of units 1 to 3, leakage of radioactive materials, continuous cooling of the core, and inflow of rainwater and groundwater. Reactor facilities have produced large and increasing amounts of nuclear-contaminated water.

　　On April 13, 2021, the Japanese government formally decided to discharge the nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the sea after filtration and dilution, and requested assistance from the International Atomic Energy Agency to ensure that the discharge meets international safety standards.

According to the website of the International Atomic Energy Agency, its international safety standards are the global reference standard for the protection of human beings and the environment, and help to achieve a uniform high level of safety throughout the world.

The IAEA's assistance included a review of Japanese submissions and visits to monitor Japan's on-site technical work to help confirm that drainage operations in the coming decades meet international safety standards.

　　Gustavo Caruso, a coordinating official of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said during his previous visit to Japan that it is the responsibility of the Japanese government to safely handle the nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, and the International Atomic Energy Agency will conduct an objective and scientific review and assessment.

　　Tokyo Electric Power Company plans to filter and dilute millions of tons of nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, and then discharge it into the Pacific Ocean in the spring and summer of 2023.

This move has caused concern in Japan and neighboring countries. Organizations such as the National Fisheries Association of Japan and the Fukushima Prefecture Fisheries Association continue to oppose the discharge of nuclear contaminated water into the sea. International agencies and observers also strongly call on Japan to fully negotiate with neighboring countries. Decisions are made prudently, openly and transparently.

There are still many issues regarding how the Japanese government and TEPCO will gain the understanding of fishermen and consumers across the country and the international community in the future.

(Headquarters reporter Saina)

　　(Source: CCTV News Client)