Japan Working to Explain Safety of N-Plant Water Release

Tokyo, Aug. 25 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government is making all-out efforts to communicate the safety of releasing treated water from the meltdown-stricken Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. Japan faces the need for urgently taking action against the spread of what it says is false information regarding the water discharge, which began on Thursday. Although the discharge of the water has received support and understanding from the United States and European countries, China has slammed the move and imposed a blanket import ban on fishery products from Japan. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday urged Beijing to immediately lift the ban, telling reporters at the prime minister's office that he demands "discussions among experts based on scientific grounds." China has branded the treated water, which still contains the radioactive substance tritium, as being "nuclear-contaminated." It is looking to apply pressure on Tokyo through the ban. Kishida is eyeing a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Indonesia early next month. He is seen urging Beijing to reconsider the ban. Although it is unlikely that China will change its stance on the issue, a Japanese government official said, "All we can do is explain carefully." Tokyo's efforts to communicate the safety of the water release have led to some countries in the Pacific region, such as Micronesia and Palau, expressing understanding although the region was the site of repeated nuclear tests by the United States, Britain and France in the past. The European Union this month lifted its import restrictions on Japanese foods, imposed following the Fukushima plant's triple meltdown in 2011, after the International Atomic Energy Agency released a comprehensive report concluding that the water discharge plan was consistent with international safety standards. "A year ago, we didn't expect to receive so much understanding," a senior Japanese Foreign Ministry official said. Japan worked especially hard to gain the understanding of South Korea. At a summit in Seoul in May, Kishida directly told South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol of his commitment to allaying concerns over the water release. Tokyo also received an observer group from the South Korean government and held briefings multiple times. The Japanese government plans to continue providing detailed explanations as many citizens and opposition lawmakers in South Korean remain opposed to the water discharge. Some South Korean media outlets have reported information on the treated water that Japan's Foreign Ministry has labeled as disinformation. The ministry will continue its surveillance of related information while strengthening communication efforts, in a bid to prevent the spread of false information. END