Japan asks IAEA to verify safety of water release

TOKYO: As treated radioactive water accumulates at the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant, Japan has asked the International Atomic Energy Agency to conduct a safety review and announce its decision publicly.

For years, Japan has been considering whether to release the water into the sea, but has put off making a final decision due to opposition by the local fishery industry and also neighbouring countries over its possible effects on marine life.

Some 1.2 million tonnes of the treated water that had been used to cool reactors, is now kept in huge storage tanks on the plant’s premises, but space could run out by next fall.

According to a Kyodo News report, Industry Minister Hiroshi Kajiyama told IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi via videoconferencing that Japan wanted the United Nations nuclear watchdog to conduct a scientific and objective review on the

method of disposing the water.

Quoting local officials, the report said Japan wants IAEA to openly convey its view to the international community.

The officials said Grossi responded that the IAEA was fully prepared to support Japan and was convinced of the country’s determination to resolve the issue of the treated water and also on its technological capacity in carrying it out.

“It has become increasingly important to dispel concerns and reputational worries over the safety of the water which have

been raised domestically as well as from our neighbouring countries,” Kajiyama said.

He added that under such circumstances, it would be “extremely effective” if the IAEA transmits messages in and out of the country on how the treated water is actually being handled as well as on its safety.

Specifically, Japan has asked the IAEA to confirm if the method and facilities used for the water disposal matches its safety standards, to check radiation data in the environment, and to release such findings to the international

community, the officials said.

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which suffered core meltdowns due to the devastating earthquake and tsunami 10 years ago, is now using water to cool the reactors.

The water has been treated using an advanced liquid processing system, or ALPS, to remove most contaminants other than the relatively less toxic tritium.

But neighbouring China and South Korea have expressed concerns over the plans to discharge the water into the sea.

AFP PIC The Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is seen from the coast of Futaba town in Fukushima prefecture recently.