Japan's Fukushima dilemma

Seeking support: A Tepco employee explaining to the media about the facility to be used to release treated radioactive water at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. — Kyodo News via AP

JAPAN’S discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant seems imminent. As the International Atomic Energy Agency has reported that the discharge plan meets safety standards, the only thing that remains is Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s decision on the discharge date. Some Japanese media are predicting the release in August. The prospect that the Japanese government will push ahead with the release underscores the IAEA’s final report. It is also a boon for Japan that the leaders of the Group of Seven countries expressed support for the IAEA’s activities in April. The problem is that many voices in South Korea and other surrounding countries oppose it.

The country with the most vigorous opposition to the discharge is China. China’s state media has strongly urged suspending the discharge plan, calling it a criminal act. In a recent interview, Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Zhanghao urged to stop the discharge plan, saying the IAEA’s assessment report cannot be used as a “license.” While the Korean government has been ambiguous on its stance, most Koreans are opposed. According to a joint poll conducted by the Hankook Ilbo and the Yomiuri Shimbun in late May, 84%of Koreans opposed it, while only 12% agreed. Unlike the Japanese government, many Japanese people are also concerned about the release. The Fukushima Prefectural Federation of Fisheries Co-operative Associations recently adopted a resolution maintaining its opposition to the discharge. Japan is in a severe dilemma.