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Japan has commenced the release of radioactive water from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean, resulting in China retaliating by suspending imports of Japanese aquatic products.
The process of releasing the water is expected to extend over several decades. This action comes twelve years after a devastating earthquake and tsunami triggered a meltdown of the nuclear reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi plant situated on Japan’s eastern seaboard.
Following the destruction of the plant in March 2011, the Tokyo Electric Power Company employed seawater to cool the reactors, which subsequently became contaminated with radioactive nuclides. The water was stored on-site in over 1,000 tanks, but due to limited space, Tepco has declared that constructing additional tanks is not feasible.
An elaborate filtration system has been employed to treat the water and remove most radioactive material. However, it is currently impractical to eliminate tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen, from the water.
Tokyo’s assertion that it is safe to release 1.3 million tonnes of water into the sea has faced opposition from regional neighbors and the local fishing industry. Nevertheless, the International Atomic Energy Agency and numerous nuclear and radiology experts support Japan’s decision.
China, which staunchly opposed Japan’s plans to release the water, announced the suspension of all aquatic product imports from Japan, citing concerns about the health of Chinese consumers.
Chinese customs authorities expressed the intention to “effectively prevent the risk of radioactive contamination and ensure food safety” in response to the discharge of nuclear contaminated water into the sea from Fukushima.
China’s foreign ministry further stated, “Japan, since initiating the discharge, has placed itself on trial before the international community and will undoubtedly face international condemnation for many years to come.”
With a half-life of 12.3 years, tritium can pose health risks. However, Japan maintains that the dose from the treated water would be less than one-seventh of the World Health Organization’s drinking water standard.
In addition to concerns about economic and reputational damage, the fishing industry within Japan opposes the release due to mistrust in the explanations and data provided by the Japanese government and Tepco.
Naoya Sekiya, associate professor at the University of Tokyo, commented, “Considering China’s concerns, it is natural for other countries to doubt the safety claims made by the country responsible for the nuclear accident.”
Hyoe Takata, associate professor at Fukushima University, emphasized the necessity for independent analysis and disclosure of data after the water’s release to verify government claims.
Hong Kong had already imposed a ban on seafood imports from nine Japanese prefectures and Tokyo. The city strongly opposes the discharge plan, with its leader John Lee criticizing it as “irresponsible.”
Although seafood product imports from the rest of Japan are still permitted in Hong Kong, they must undergo radiological tests prior to being supplied in the market, according to officials.
Simon Wong, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, stated that Japanese restaurant owners and seafood importers in Hong Kong are concerned about the ban. He added, “The restaurants are really worried. The negative publicity surrounding this issue may also discourage people from dining out at Japanese restaurants.”
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