Discharge of Contaminated Water D-1... The Background Behind the '24th' Decision

Reason for Releasing Now Considering Domestic and International Situations
"Japan Intentionally Overlooks Korea's Demands"

With the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan just one day away, attention is focused on the background behind setting the start date for the discharge as the 24th. It is analyzed that the Japanese government considered both domestic and international political situations before making the final decision on the discharge date.

In particular, it is reported that the Japanese government postponed the discharge schedule until after the South Korea-U.S.-Japan summit out of consideration for the South Korean government. The Yomiuri Shimbun, in an article titled 'The 24th is a consideration for domestic and international parties... Data publication before the fishing season and South Korea's circumstances,' reported that the decision to set the discharge start date as the 24th was made out of consideration for fishermen and South Korea's situation.

Since bottom trawl fishing is set to resume in the waters off Fukushima from early September, the Japanese government was initially considering discharging the water in August, with mid-August being the most likely period, the media reported. However, as the South Korea-U.S.-Japan summit was moved up from late August to the 18th, the start date for the discharge was delayed to late August.

On the afternoon of the 22nd, a market management department employee is conducting a radiation inspection on Japanese seafood at Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market in Dongjak-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, the Asahi Shimbun reported that "the South Korean government and ruling party unofficially requested an early discharge of Fukushima contaminated water to minimize negative impacts on next year's general election." In response, the government denied making such a request, but opposition parties remain skeptical, asking, "If it is not true, why is there no request for a correction?"

Professor Lee Young-chae of Keisen Jogakuen University in Japan analyzed that the timing of the Fukushima contaminated water discharge was a result of a complex consideration of Japan's domestic and international situations. Professor Lee said, "There are elections in the Tohoku region of Japan in the fall, and the Kishida administration is in a situation where it would be difficult to maintain power without holding a general election in the fall, so there was a strong feeling that they could not miss the end of August this time," adding, "South Korea also has a general election next year, and Taiwan has a presidential election, so there was likely a political reason not to miss this summer."

Regarding the Asahi Shimbun report, Professor Lee noted, "There was no additional confirmation, and of course, the South Korean government would say it is baseless." However, he added, "(The Japanese side) intentionally leaked that 'South Korea is also requesting this timing,' emphasizing that it was not solely the Japanese government's intention, which I believe was a masterful political move."

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