Prime Minister Kishida received a report from the IAEA = International Atomic Energy Agency on April 4 regarding the policy of diluting the treated water accumulated at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station to a concentration below the standard and releasing it into the sea.
It is expected to be a safety assessment, and the government will begin to consider the specific timing of the start of the release, which is scheduled to begin around summer.
The government plans to dilute the treated water containing tritium and other radioactive substances that accumulate at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station to a concentration below the standard and begin releasing it into the sea around summer, and preparations are generally in place to confirm the performance of the necessary equipment.
Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Kishida will meet with IAEA Director-General Grossi, who is visiting Japan, on June 4 and receive a report on the results of a comprehensive safety assessment.
Regarding the release of treated water into the sea, Secretary General Grossi has stated that "if it is proceeded appropriately according to the standards, it will not have a negative impact on the environment," and the report is expected to be in line with this assessment.
On the other hand, domestic fisheries officials and neighboring countries have voiced opposition and concerns about the release, and some in the ruling party have called for the release to be avoided during the swimming season.
The Government of Japan will disseminate the contents of the IAEA report both domestically and internationally, and will begin to consider the specific timing of the commencement of the release of treated water, while thoroughly explaining that safety assurance and measures against rumors will be thoroughly implemented.
IAEA Interim Report Generally Evaluates Government and TEPCO's Efforts
After the Japan government decided to dilute the treated water accumulated at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station and release it into the sea in 2021, it requested the IAEA = International Atomic Energy Agency to dispatch an investigation team to verify the plan against international standards in order to gain the understanding of neighboring countries that have concerns about safety.
The IAEA mission has included experts from neighboring countries such as China and South Korea, as well as 11 countries, including the United States, to verify whether the safety of disposal methods is ensured and methods for monitoring treated water discharged into the sea. The content generally evaluates the efforts of the government and TEPCO.
In addition, IAEA Director-General Grossi has stated that "if the standard is properly followed, there will be no adverse effects on the environment, and there will be no problem with Fukushima's fishery and agricultural products," indicating that there is no problem from a scientific point of view.
The comprehensive report to be released on April 4 is also expected to be in line with the assessments so far, and the Japan government will continue to explain the contents domestically and internationally based on the contents.