On the 13th anniversary of Japan’s “3.11” earthquake, sewage discharged into the sea has once again cast a shadow on Fukushima
China News Service, Tokyo, March 11: March 11 this year marks the 13th anniversary of Japan’s devastating earthquake disaster, known as “3.11”. The aftermath of the disaster, particularly the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident, continues to impact the region, with approximately 30,000 people still unable to return home and living as refugees. Despite domestic and international opposition, the Japanese government proceeded with the controversial Fukushima nuclear contaminated water discharge plan on August 24 last year, leading to ongoing concerns and accidents.
The ongoing challenges in Fukushima include the removal of nuclear residue, which remains a distant goal. The earthquake and tsunami in 2011 caused significant leakage of radioactive material from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, resulting in the displacement of thousands of people. However, the process of removing the 880 tons of nuclear residue from the plant has been plagued with delays and setbacks, with the latest deadline for completion set for October 2024.
Additionally, the disposal of treated nuclear-contaminated soil in Fukushima Prefecture remains unresolved, with approximately 14 million cubic meters of decontaminated soil awaiting final disposal outside of the prefecture by 2045. The Japanese government has faced opposition to plans to reuse the soil in other locations, further complicating the situation.
The decision to discharge nuclear-contaminated water into the sea has also sparked controversy, with ongoing accidents at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Despite assurances from Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) that the sea discharge plan will span over 30 years, incidents such as a leak in the nuclear contaminated water purification device in February have raised concerns about marine pollution and public safety.
Japanese citizens have voiced their opposition to the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water into the sea through rallies and legal action. On March 10, a rally near Oji Station in Tokyo saw participants holding banners and placards against the plan, criticizing the lack of a clear roadmap for decommissioning the nuclear power units at Fukushima Daiichi. Legal action has also been taken by 363 individuals against the Japanese government and TEPCO through a class action lawsuit.
As the legal battle and public opposition continue, the future of Fukushima and the handling of nuclear contamination remain uncertain. Despite the challenges, the voices of those impacted by the disaster continue to advocate for a safer and more sustainable solution. (End)