IAEA to Begin On-Site Safety Assessment of Fukushima Contaminated Water in Japan Next Month

[Photo by AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Byunghee Park] The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has agreed with the Japanese government to conduct an on-site safety assessment regarding the discharge of contaminated water at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan.

According to major foreign media on the 19th (local time), Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, and Hiroshi Kajiyama, Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, held talks and reached this agreement. Accordingly, IAEA officials plan to visit Japan to discuss activities and plans for the discharge of contaminated water.

In April, Japan announced its policy to discharge contaminated water stored in tanks on the Fukushima plant site into the ocean. Immediately after this announcement, Japan requested support from the IAEA, which was accepted. The IAEA explained that this visit is the first step in fulfilling its commitment to support Japan.

The IAEA expects that related support work will continue for decades.

Director General Grossi said, "Minister Kajiyama's visit today is an important step in our preparations to support Japan's discharge," adding, "Japan's invitation to the IAEA during the pandemic demonstrates Japan's intention to carry out the discharge work in a safe and transparent manner."

Senior IAEA officials are scheduled to meet with Japanese officials and experts in Tokyo and Fukushima during their visit to Japan in September.

Earlier, in July, the IAEA agreed with Japan on the scope of technical support for monitoring and reviewing the marine discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. According to the agreement, the IAEA will evaluate Japan's discharge plan according to international safety standards and support environmental monitoring of the impact of the discharge on seawater, marine sediments, and fish. To this end, the IAEA plans to form an international verification team.

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