Japan Expresses Concern Over Russia Joining China's Seafood Ban Following Fukushima Wastewater Release
In a move that has raised concerns in Japan, Russia has recently announced its decision to join China in banning the imports of Japanese seafood. This decision is a direct response to the release of treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which has sparked international debate and opposition.
The Russian embargo on Japanese seafood comes nearly two months after the Fukushima plant commenced the discharge of treated and diluted radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean. This discharge, set to continue for decades, has faced vehement resistance from fishing groups and neighboring countries, particularly South Korea, where hundreds of individuals have staged protests. China had acted promptly in banning all imports of Japanese seafood on the very day the wastewater release began in August. This sudden move had a substantial impact on Japanese seafood producers and exporters.
The Japanese Foreign Ministry has responded by actively engaging with the Russian embassy in Tokyo. Japanese senior officials have sought to provide transparent and scientific explanations regarding the safety of the treated water release from the Fukushima plant and the quality of Japanese seafood. The ministry has emphasized its "sincere and polite" response to Russia's unexpected request for a dialogue, which included the submission of relevant documents.
Japan's government views Moscow's restrictions as "unjust" and counters the global trend towards easing or lifting import restrictions on Japanese food. The ministry expressed deep regret over Russia's decision and has strongly urged its withdrawal. Japan remains steadfast in its commitment to actions based on scientific evidence.
The wastewater release from the Fukushima plant commenced on August 24 and concluded on September 11. During this period, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) reported the discharge of 7,800 tonnes of treated water from ten tanks. The second discharge, initiated on October 5, is set to release another 7,800 tonnes of treated water into the Pacific Ocean over a 17-day period. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts have examined the safety of this wastewater release and have concluded that, if executed as planned, it would have a negligible impact on the environment, marine life, and human health.
A team of IAEA experts from China, South Korea, and Canada is scheduled to conduct sampling of seawater and marine life in the vicinity of the plant in the coming week.
In response to the challenges posed by China's seafood ban, Japan's government has established a relief fund aimed at finding new markets and mitigating the impact. This includes measures such as the temporary purchase, freezing, and storage of seafood, as well as the promotion of seafood sales within the country.
TEPCO and the government emphasize that the discharge of water into the sea is a necessity, as the tanks will reach capacity early next year, and space at the plant will be required for its lengthy decommissioning process, expected to span decades. They further stress that the water is rigorously treated to reduce radioactive materials to safe levels and is subsequently diluted with seawater to levels significantly safer than international standards.
As the international debate continues, Japan remains committed to addressing these complex challenges transparently and with the utmost consideration for safety and scientific evidence.
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