Japan Rushes Schedule for Radioactive Wastewater Discharge... UN Experts Express "Deep Concern"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghyun Choi] UN human rights experts have criticized the Japanese government's plan to discharge radioactive contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

In a statement on the 9th (local time), the experts said, "We are deeply concerned by reports that the Japanese government is accelerating the schedule to release radioactive contaminated water into the ocean without meaningful time or opportunity for consultation."

They pointed out that the Japanese government's recent series of events to gather opinions from local residents and experts regarding the disposal method of the radioactive contaminated water are inappropriate. Due to COVID-19 response measures, all communities in Japan affected by the discharge, as well as neighboring countries, have been limited in their participation in such discussions.

Moreover, there is sufficient storage space for the contaminated water, and since the initial plan was to hold public hearings after the Tokyo Olympics, there is absolutely no reason to rush the decision. The experts also mentioned that they have obtained credible information that the Japanese government used the postponement of the Olympics by one year as an opportunity to create a new decision-making process for the discharge.

The experts emphasized that the decision to discharge contaminated water will significantly impact the livelihoods of not only Japanese people but also those of other countries, stating, "COVID-19 should not be used as a means to obstruct decisions that will have profound effects on people and the planet across multiple generations." They urged the Japanese government to postpone the decision on the marine disposal of radioactive contaminated water until the COVID-19 crisis passes and proper international consultations can take place.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.