Japan to discharge radioactive waste

THE discharge of radioactive waste (advanced liquid processing system) into the Pacific Ocean will begin in two years.

This, according to the Japanese embassy’s second secretary Masataka Mizutani.

He said after approval by the independent Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA), the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) would discharge the treated water into the sea.

“Subject to the approval of the independent nuclear regulation authority, TEPCO will conduct the discharge into the sea which is envisaged to take place approximately after two years,” he said.

He said the government of Japan would engage and conduct assessments to ensure the safety of discharge, transparency and accountability.

“The water will be purified or re-purified and diluted to meet the regulatory standards.”

He said Japan’s regulatory standards for discharge were based on the recommendations of the International Commission for Radiological Protection (ICRP), keeping the additional public radiation below one millisievert per year.

He said they were constantly consulting and meeting with the Pacific Island leaders and the Forum Secretariat to inform them of the progress and seek permission.

“The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been assisting and constantly monitoring and so far they have made 16 visits to Japan.”

He said they would release the water gradually to minimise the risk.

“It is a large amount of water, so we won’t be releasing it all at once.”