IAEA chief in Japan as Tokyo moves ahead with dumping nuclear waste into sea

By Necva Tastan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Amid criticism against Japan's plans to release nuclear waste from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief on Tuesday arrived in Tokyo to hold discussions over the issue.

Ahead of releasing IAEA's report on Fukushima nuclear plant's water discharge plan, Rafael Grossi met Japan's Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa for a briefing on the issue.

The duo discussed the plan about releasing treated and diluted water into Sea from the Fukushima nuclear plant site.

Grossi's Japan trip comes a day after China urged the IAEA to take a “responsible” stand on Japan's plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water into the sea.

The IAEA chief will also meet Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to present IAEA's "comprehensive report" on the safety review of the treated water.

"If the project follows safety standards, it won't harm the environment,” said Grossi, according to Tokyo-based NHK News.

Prior to the meeting, Yoshimasa said the government would offer comprehensive explanations supported by scientific evidence, ensuring transparency, and striving to enhance the international community's understanding.

Tokyo earlier said the treated nuclear waste will be released into the sea this summer as planned.

Japan's water discharge plan, announced in April 2021, faced significant criticism from China, South Korea, North Korea, Taiwan, and international organizations, including the UN.

The US supported the proposal, following years of discussions on dealing with over 1 million tons of water stored at the Fukushima nuclear complex since the 2011 disaster.

Despite the pressure, Japan last month initiated the injection of seawater into a drainage tunnel at the damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, marking the initial stage of releasing treated radioactive wastewater into the ocean.

Meanwhile, Seoul announced that Grossi will visit South Korea for a three-day trip, including a meeting with the head of the country's nuclear safety watchdog, Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency reported.