U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, demonstrated his support for the local fishing industry of Fukushima by indulging in seafood, amid protests from China and South Korea regarding the treated nuclear wastewater discharge. Emanuel viewed the discharge as a form of economic coercion. During a press conference at a supermarket, he stated that if China had displayed scientific rigor, international cooperation, and full transparency during the COVID crisis, many lives could have been saved. He also cheekily suggested that if President Xi believed in the safety of Chinese fish near their nuclear plants, he could serve them to Putin during his visit.
Emanuel, the former mayor of Chicago, visited the city of Soma in Fukushima prefecture to observe the wastewater discharge plan, which experts estimate will take several decades to complete. This plan was pursued by Japanese officials to create space for additional facilities needed to decommission the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which suffered a triple-meltdown disaster in 2011 due to an earthquake and tsunami.
The plant continues to produce wastewater as the fuel debris remains in the reactor and requires constant cooling. Once the debris is removed, the wastewater production will cease. The treated wastewater has been stored onsite in tanks, which have now taken up all available space. Since 2013, tritium has been leaking into the Fukushima groundwater, but the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has been pumping out the contaminated groundwater annually.
To alleviate concerns about the safety of food from the Fukushima region, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and three cabinet ministers consumed seafood and rice sourced from Fukushima during a lunch meeting. They aimed to demonstrate the safety of the region’s food based on scientific evidence.
Following Japan’s announcement of the wastewater discharge plan, Beijing promptly banned all Japanese seafood imports. South Koreans also expressed their opposition to the plan, while Japanese fishermen are worried that their products will be undesirable for years, leading to severe business consequences.
Emanuel emphasized the U.S.’s support for Japan’s plan and expressed expectations of U.S. backing if Tokyo were to file a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization regarding China’s seafood import ban.
During his visit to Soma, Emanuel purchased fish from a supermarket, intending to serve it to his children during their weekend visit. He bought fruits, flounder, sea bass, and other produce, all sourced from Fukushima. He assured The Associated Press that he wouldn’t serve the food if he believed there was any problem with it.
The current discharge pace will result in approximately 31,200 tons of treated water being dumped by March 2024, freeing up only 10 of the 1,000 tanks as the plant continues to produce wastewater. Officials estimate that 30% of the tanks will be empty by the end of the first decade, with the pace increasing over time.
Overall, U.S. Ambassador Rahm Emanuel’s visit to Fukushima and his support for the local fishing industry showcased the importance of scientific evidence, international cooperation, and transparency in resolving complex issues. His actions also demonstrated confidence in the safety of seafood sourced from Fukushima.
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