BEIJING — China has voiced its apprehension regarding Japan's decision to discharge nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean, highlighting potential dangers to human health, marine ecosystems, and international public interests. This statement was made on Friday by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.
According to Philippines News Agency, China and several other countries have implemented measures deemed "completely legitimate, reasonable, and necessary" to ensure food safety and public health following the wastewater release initiated by Japan last August. The decision by Japan to begin the disposal of treated radioactive wastewater has sparked significant backlash, not only from China but also from opposition parties in South Korea and the Solomon Islands.
The controversy stems from concerns over radioactive contamination, prompting Beijing to halt all seafood imports from Japan for a six-month period after Tokyo announced its plans for the water discharge. The Fukushima facility is tasked with the gradual release of over 1 million tons of treated wastewater, a process that is expected to span 30 years.
The necessity for this wastewater disposal arises from the catastrophic events of 2011, when the Fukushima plant suffered the most severe nuclear accident since the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, following an earthquake and tsunami. This incident led to the shutdown of the plant and has since been a subject of international environmental and safety concerns.