Japan has proposed a dialogue with China involving nuclear experts from both countries to discuss Tokyo's plan to release treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear complex into the sea. China, which opposes the plan, has yet to respond to the proposal. Japan aims to begin the water release this summer and hopes that the discussions can prevent China from politicizing the issue. China has started blanket radiation testing on seafood imports from Japan and has halted some of Japan's seafood exports at customs. Japan has conducted briefings with South Korea and Hong Kong to explain that the water release will not negatively impact human health or the environment. The International Atomic Energy Agency has concluded that the plan aligns with global safety standards and will have a negligible radiological impact, but China argues that the IAEA's safety review does not constitute a green light for releasing the water into the sea. Both countries have not reached a clear agreement on the matter.
Wed, 19 Jul 2023 12:46:14 GMT | The Japan Times