Fukushima Calls For Avoiding Reputational Damage
The governor of Fukushima wants the central government to ensure its plan to release treated water from the crippled nuclear power plant into the ocean doesn't damage the prefecture's reputation.
The water will be diluted before its release so the concentration of contaminants meets global safety levels.
Fukushima Governor Uchibori Masao discussed the plan with Japan's industry minister on Thursday, two days after the government announced its decision.
Governor Uchibori said, "In the 10 years since the nuclear accident, people in Fukushima have done all they can to rebuild the affected area, and fight misunderstandings that threatened reputations. There's concern the plan could make those efforts come to nothing. We want the central government to appreciate the situation we face in Fukushima."
Industry minister Kajiyama Hiroshi said, "We decided on how to dispose of the treated water in order to press ahead with the rebuilding of Fukushima. It was an extremely important decision for the government. We are fully aware that the decision comes with a heavy, heavy responsibility."
Uchibori urged the government to provide accurate information and seek the understanding of people, such as farmers and fisherman, who might be affected by the water's release.
He also demanded that the government pursue technology to remove radioactive tritium from the water.
Water is used to cool molten nuclear fuel at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. It mixes with rain and groundwater that flows into damaged reactor buildings, amounting to more than 100 tons each day.
This water undergoes a treatment process that removes most radioactive materials, but it still contains tritium. The treated water is then stored.
The plant has about 1,000 tanks, which are now 90 percent full. The remainder is expected to fill up sometime next year.
The treated water will be diluted so the tritium concentration is well below national standards, and about one-seventh of the level the World Health Organization suggests is safe for drinking water.
The International Atomic Energy Agency supports the plan, noting that the method is in line with international practice. But China and South Korea have expressed concern.
Japanese officials say they will continue to thoroughly explain their efforts to decommission the nuclear plant to members of the international community.