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Greenpeace Japan strongly condemns the cabinet decision of Prime Minister Suga to remove 1,23 million tons of radioactive water in the nuclear power plant's tanks Fukushima Daiichi is saved to be disposed of in the Pacific Ocean. [1] This completely disregards the human rights and interests of the people in Fukushima, wider Japan and the Asia-Pacific region.
The decision means Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) can begin discharging radioactive waste from its nuclear power plant into the Pacific. It was said that it would take 2 years to prepare for "disposal".
Kazue Suzuki, climate / energy fighter at Greenpeace Japansaid:
“The Japanese government has let the people of Fukushima down again. The government made the wholly unjustified decision to deliberately contaminate the Pacific with radioactive waste. It ignored the radiation risks and turned its back on the clear evidence that sufficient storage capacities are available both on the nuclear site and in the surrounding districts. [2] Instead of using the best available technology to minimize radiation hazards through long-term storage and processing of the water, they opted for the cheapest option [3] and dump the water into the Pacific Ocean.
The cabinet's decision neglects the protection of the environment and the concerns of residents of Fukushima and neighboring citizens across Japan. Greenpeace supports the people of Fukushima, including the fishing communities, in their efforts to stop these plans, "said Suzuki.
Majority against disposal of radioactive water from Fukushima
Greenpeace Japan poll has shown that the majority of residents in Fukushima and wider Japan are against discharging this radioactive waste water into the Pacific. In addition, the National Association of Japanese Fisheries Cooperatives has continued to express its utter opposition to discharges into the oceans.
The United Nations Special Rapporteurs on Human Rights warned the Japanese government in June 2020 and again in March 2021 that the discharge of water into the environment violates the rights of Japanese citizens and their neighbors, including Korea. They called on the Japanese government to postpone any decision to discharge the contaminated water into the sea until the COVID-19 crisis is over and appropriate international consultations take place [4].
Although the decision has been announced, it will take approximately two years for these discharges to begin at the Fukushima Daiichi plant.
Jennifer Morgan, Executive Director at Greenpeace International said:
“In the 21st century, when the planet, and the world's oceans in particular, are facing so many challenges and threats, it is outrageous that the Japanese government and TEPCO believe they can justify deliberately dumping nuclear waste in the Pacific. The decision violates Japan's legal obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea [5], (UNCLOS) and will be strongly opposed in the coming months. "
Since 2012 Greenpeace has been proactively against plans to discharge radioactive water from Fukushima. Technical analyzes are transmitted to UN agencies, seminars are held with residents of Fukushima with other NGOs and petitions are submitted against the discharges and submitted to relevant Japanese government agencies.
In addition, a recent report by Greenpeace Japan presented detailed alternatives to the current flawed decommissioning plans for Fukushima Daiichi, including options to halt further increases in contaminated water. [6] Greenpeace will continue to lead the campaign to prevent radioactive water from Fukushima from entering the Pacific.
Notes:
[1] TEPCO, Report on ALPS Treated Water
[2] Greenpeace report October 2020, Stemming the Tide
[3] METI, “Report of the Tritiated Water Task Force,” June 2016
[4]United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner June 2020 and March 2021
[5] Duncan Currie, Japan's Radioactive Water Plan, contravenes international law
[6] Satoshi Sato “Decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant” March 2021
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Photos: Greenpeace
