Seoul Backs Fukushima Water Plan; China Imposes Japan Food Ban

Facts

• South Korea announced on Friday that it supports the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency's approval of Japan's plans to discharge treated water from the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean amid controversy surrounding the decision.¹
• Millions of tons of treated wastewater has accumulated at the Fukushima nuclear plant following a tsunami disaster in 2011. With over 1,000 tanks having been filled, Japan has proposed its gradual release into the Pacific over the next three decades.²
• Having conducted its own assessment concerning the matter, South Korea's minister in the Office for Government Policy Coordination — Bang Moon-Kyu — stated that the review concluded that the plan met "standards for ocean discharge." Japan has reassured its neighbors that the water is safe following an isotope filtration process.³
• Tokyo's reassurances were echoed by Seoul's 22-month review that says released water would have a negligible impact on health and the surrounding environment.⁴
• Meanwhile, the plan has received opposition in China, which — on the same day as Seoul's announcement — revealed a ban on food imports from 10 of Japan's prefectures. Beijing also announced it would conduct radiation tests on all other food from the country.⁵
• Speaking in an interview on Thursday, IAEA Director General Rafel Grossi reaffirmed the organization's conclusions were of "sound basis," while acknowledging the "very logical sense of uncertainty."⁶

Sources: ¹Al Jazeera, ²BBC News, ³Reuters, ⁴Independent, ⁵Guardian, and ⁶CNN.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by The Conversation. The ocean release of Fukushima water is the most realistic and safe option available to improve the environment surrounding Fukushima's nuclear plant. The Japanese government is doing its utmost to ensure people's safety, including diluting the treated water with seawater to bring the tritium concentration well below internationally approved levels.
• Narrative B, as provided by Al Jazeera. The Japanese government's decision to contaminate the ocean with large volumes of radioactive tritium-laden water damages the reputation of Fukushima's agricultural and fishing produce. In addition, by turning its back on the clear evidence that the "treated water" still contains harmful radionuclides, Japan has deliberately put marine and human life at risk of radiation exposure.

Predictions