They say the treated but still slightly radioactive water will be diluted to levels safer than international standards and will be released gradually into the ocean over decades, making it harmless to people and marine life. Government and utility officials say the wastewater, stored in about 1,000 tanks at the plant, must be removed to prevent accidental leaks and to make room for the plant’s decommissioning. Kishida told Cabinet ministers at a meeting Friday about the water discharge that they should continue efforts to ensure safety and counteract any negative rumors by releasing full explanations, Hayashi said. The organization has said it has no power to make any decision for the Japanese government, including stopping the wastewater release. IAEA has dispatched several missions to Japan since early 2022.Īll of its interim evaluation reports have been positive and similar results are expected in its final report. Japan has sought support from the IAEA to gain credibility for the plan and ensure that safety measures meet international standards. To ease overseas concerns, Grossi is expected to visit South Korea, New Zealand and the Cook Islands after his visit to Japan, during which the IAEA is expected to release its final report on the wastewater release plan. If everything goes well, TEPCO is expected to receive a permit in about a week to begin the discharge, though the starting date is still undecided, according to the Nuclear Regulation Authority.Įnvironmental activists in Seoul, South Korea, protested on Friday outside the Japanese Embassy against the plan. The plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, has completed construction of the equipment needed for the planned release, and Japanese regulators were finishing their final inspection on Friday. We hope to further strengthen ties between Japan and the IAEA through this visit,” Hayashi said. “Japan attaches great importance to the efforts of the IAEA, which serves an important role in promoting nuclear nonproliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. He is expected to meet with Hayashi, Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and visit the Fukushima plant, which was damaged by a massive earthquake and tsunami in 2011.
Grossi will visit Japan July 4-7, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said.
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