"Japan Aims to Ease Fukushima Seafood Import Ban"

Professor Jang Jung-wook of Matsuyama University CBS Interview
"Significant Impact on Human Body if Internal Radiation Exposure Occurs"

Professor Jang Jung-wook of Matsuyama University commented on the issue of the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, stating that Japan's emphasis on the harmlessness to the human body is inaccurate. He said, "(Regarding internal exposure) even low levels of radioactivity have an effect, which is acknowledged by the International Radiation Protection Association."

In an interview with CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 4th, Professor Jang pointed out that although Japan purifies the contaminated water using a multi-nuclide removal equipment system, tritium cannot be removed.

The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 (the building in the back), where a hydrogen explosion occurred during the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, was photographed on the 2nd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Professor Jang said, "Tritium causes almost no external exposure and mainly enters the body through food or respiration, but inside the body, there is no protective barrier like skin," adding, "It can cause cancer and various other diseases."

He continued, "There are many studies showing that low-dose exposure has significant effects, but proponents of nuclear power only consider external exposure and largely ignore the effects of low-dose exposure received internally. They are trapped in a belief of radiation safety."

Professor Jang reported that public opinion in Japan was mostly against the discharge of contaminated water, but gradually more people are becoming supportive. He explained, "Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine last year, Japan's energy prices have risen significantly. The Japanese government argues that because electricity prices are high, they cannot avoid operating nuclear power plants, and since they can no longer store the water (contaminated water), there is no other option in terms of time. They are thus condoning their own mistakes and errors."

Professor Jang analyzed, "Research shows that radioactive materials that fell into the Pacific Ocean during the Fukushima accident take about four years to travel eastward, enter our East Sea, and then flow back to Japan. Since the contaminated water will be discharged into the sea, the return time will likely be faster."

Regarding the issue of importing Fukushima seafood, he said, "Countries like France and the European Union (EU) do not impose a complete import ban on eight regions like Korea does, but only require inspection certificates for certain areas. Japan's biggest goal is to ease Korea's import ban on seafood."

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