CHINA has urged Japan to responsibly dispose of nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, especially as it enters its third phase of release.
This was stated by Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin on Thursday, following the commencement of the third round of releasing radioactive water into the ocean by the Tokyo Electric Power Company or TEPCO.
Japanese news agencies Kyodo and JIJI cited source with TEPCO said that in the 3rd phase, 7,800 tons of water into the Pacific Ocean from November 2, and it is expected to continue until November 20.
Wang emphasized the need for Japan to halt its practice of transferring the risk of nuclear pollution to the world and expressed concern about the radioactive water splashing onto workers at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.
He also stressed that Japan should stop shifting the risks of nuclear pollution to the whole world.
“Despite domestic and international opposition, Japan has already discharged 15,600 tons of nuclear-contaminated water into the Pacific Ocean, blatantly shifting the risk of nuclear contamination onto the whole world, which is extremely irresponsible. The recent incident that radioactive waste water was splashed [onto workers] at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant once again demonstrates the chaotic management within TEPCO, which is responsible for the discharge of the nuclear-contaminated water. It has habitually covered up [safety issues] and deceived. Japan’s claims of a safe and transparent ocean discharge plan are simply not convincing,” according to Wang Wenbin.
Wang stated that despite local and international opposition, Japan continues to take irresponsible actions regarding the release of radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean.
According to Wang, the Japanese government has once again revealed the chaotic management of TEPCO, the entity responsible for releasing nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean.
The spokesperson claimed that TEPCO has a history of concealing safety issues and deceiving the government, and Japan’s assurances of a safe and transparent ocean disposal plan are not convincing.
“Japan should face up to international concerns, have thorough consultations with other stakeholders, especially neighboring countries, and dispose of the nuclear-contaminated water in a responsible way. As more and more Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water is discharged into the ocean, the international community requires the immediate establishment of an international monitoring arrangement with substantive participation of all stakeholders, including Japan’s neighboring countries, that will stay effective for the long haul. Its effectiveness is increasingly evident. The International Atomic Energy Agency should play the due role in this matter. Japan should work in full coordination and avoid irreversible damage caused by the ocean discharge,” Wang said.
Wang further emphasized that Japan needs to address international concerns, engage in comprehensive consultations with other stakeholders, especially neighboring countries, and dispose of the nuclear-contaminated water responsibly.
According to Wang, the international community must take action and establish an immediate international monitoring arrangement with substantial participation from all stakeholders, including Japan’s neighboring countries, given the increasing release of nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean.
