[10 Years Since the Great East Japan Earthquake] Lingering Wounds... Contaminated Water Treatment Remains the Biggest Challenge

On March 28th last month, ahead of the 10th anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear accident caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, a journalist checked radiation levels near the Tokyo Electric Power Company's Daiichi nuclear power plant affected by the disaster using a radiation meter.
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Although 10 years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake, many unresolved issues remain. While the infrastructure recovery in the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake is entering its final stages, the fisheries and tourism industries, which face significant concerns over radioactive materials, have yet to escape the influence of the Fukushima incident.

According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun on the 8th, the number of displaced persons due to the Great East Japan Earthquake was recorded at 41,231 as of February 8, 2021. This represents about 9% of the approximately 470,000 displaced persons at the time of the earthquake in 2011, showing a significant decrease. Additionally, all 131 port facilities damaged by the earthquake have been fully restored, and 311 out of 319 ports (97%) have completely recovered their cargo handling functions. Transportation infrastructure such as roads and railways also showed a 99% reconstruction rate.

However, since the Fukushima incident, 28,505 people in Fukushima Prefecture alone, along with 3,677 and 914 people in neighboring Miyagi and Iwate Prefectures respectively, continue to live as evacuees, having left their hometowns.

Particularly problematic is the fisheries industry affected by contaminated water issues. According to a survey conducted by the Japan Fisheries Agency in January 2020, less than 50% of businesses in the six prefectures affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake?Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki, and Chiba?have recovered sales to over 80%.

The main cause cited was "loss of export channels and damage due to rumors," accounting for more than 50%, clearly indicating that the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake still lingers.

Among Fukushima residents, this is referred to as 'Koukouhigai (reputational damage),' meaning damage caused by baseless rumors. This term highlights the difference in perception between Japan and the international community.

Moreover, the Japanese government plans to discharge contaminated water, which it can no longer manage, into the ocean, prompting ongoing international concern and criticism.

The Washington Post (WP) expressed concern, stating, "The contaminated water generated by the Fukushima incident amounts to 1.25 million tons, enough to fill 500 Olympic-sized swimming pools, and there is no longer enough storage tank capacity to handle it. Furthermore, contaminated water continues to be produced steadily, and the Japanese government plans to discharge it into the sea."

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