![]() Koyama Ryota, a professor at Fukushima University who served on a government panel to address the disposal of treated water, has similar sentiments. "Does anyone really believe the pledge to counter fear-mongering?" "The government shelved the issue for a decade, and didn't even call for a national discussion," he says. Suga reportedly said he understands residents' concerns – especially those in the fisheries industry.īut Takahashi Kazuyasu, a 42-year-old fisher in Soma City, isn't convinced. Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide met with Fukushima Governor Uchibori Masao behind closed doors a few days after the announcement about the treated water. The government also pledges to boost tourism and sales of Fukushima specialty produce. That includes strengthening a system for monitoring oceanic radiation levels, and calling on the International Atomic Energy Agency to disseminate objective information both in Japan and abroad. The government says it will work to counter safety concerns before discharging the treated water. All of Fukushima Prefecture's fishing ports are back in action following the March 2011 disaster. Some overseas trading partners still impose import restrictions even though pre-shipment safety checks for radioactivity are a matter of course. Last month's announcement came without the understanding of Fukushima's fisheries industry.Ĭatch volume has been gradually recovering since the disaster on March 11, 2011, but some consumers remain hesitant. Six years ago, the government and the plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company, promised that treated water would not be disposed of without the acceptance of relevant parties. Economic effectsįor those who rely on the ocean to make a living, the decision is akin to a gross betrayal. It's been more than a decade since their lives were upended by a triple meltdown at the plant following a massive earthquake and tsunami. The water is to be diluted to lower the concentration of radioactive materials such as tritium to levels that fall below those outlined in national regulations.įor many of Fukushima Prefecture's residents, the news came as a severe blow. It was announced last month that the treated water will start being released in about two years. It is free.Įach time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Or you may create one on the Disqus system. Enter the login for your social media account. They are for Disqus, Facebook, Twitter and Google. Under the box, you can see four images for social media accounts.What do you think of this story? We want to hear from you. the fact that someone can be believed or trusted to take equipment or weapons out of useĬredibility – n. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. The Associated Press reported this story. This aimed to gain credibility with the public and ensure that safety measures meet international requirements. Japan has sought support from the International Atomic Energy Agency during the process. ![]() Japanese officials say the treated water will be released into the ocean over many years, making it harmless to people and sea life. In South Korea, fishermen protested the plan Monday in front of the country’s National Assembly in Seoul. Currently though, he admitted the two sides “remain wide apart.” He added, however, that his group supports progress in the plant's decommissioning and hopes to continue negotiations with the government. He told Nishimura that local fishermen still “stand by” their opposition. Tetsu Nozaki is head of a local fishing organization. South Korean fishermen stage a rally against the planned release of treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant, in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, June 12, 2023. They say tritium is not considered harmful in small amounts. TEPCO and government officials say tritium – a radioactive form of hydrogen – is the only substance that cannot be removed from the water. This is why the government describes it as “treated” and not “radioactive.” But experts say it is impossible to remove all the radioactivity. The water has already gone through a process designed to remove harmful materials. The disaster forced 160,000 people to flee nearby areas poisoned by radioactive material. Three reactors there suffered meltdowns after a 2011 earthquake and huge ocean waves destroyed the plant’s cooling systems. The water release is necessary to move forward with cleanup efforts at the Fukushima center. Tests began Monday as workers examined processing equipment at the newly-completed seaside pumping center, said Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO). The operator of Japan’s damaged Fukushima nuclear center has begun testing a process to release treated wastewater into the sea.
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