Japan's insistence on discharging nuclear wastewater into the sea: a loss of credibilityand a challenge to human conscience
On August 24, the Government of Japan unilaterally and forcibly initiated the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear accident into the sea, in defiance of the international community's strong questioning and opposition. The Japanese Government's unilateral initiation of the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water into the sea is a highly irresponsible decision and constitutes a violation of rights. The reasons given by Japan do not stand up to scrutiny. First of all, the Japanese side claimed to have received "approval" from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), but in fact, according to the statement made by the Director General of the IAEA later on, there was no such "approval" at all. The IAEA only emphasized that Japan's discharge of nuclear-contaminated water must be in strict compliance with the Agency's regulations and standards, and did not mean that it approved or endorsed the discharge. Secondly, Japan has been emphasizing the tritium element in the contaminated water, while avoiding mentioning the remaining dozens of radioactive elements. The real purpose of this kind of cover-up is very clear: Japan knows the seriousness of the matter, but tries to evade its own responsibility through various means to prevent more people from becoming alert and panicked. Thirdly, Japan has been confusing the nuclear contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear accident with the cooling water discharged during the normal nuclear energy production process in other countries. The cooling water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant comes into direct contact with the radioactive elements inside the nuclear reactor, and the two should not be confused at all.
Nuclear accidents are particularly tragic and unfortunate, whether for a company, a government or a society. However, if we compare the Fukushima nuclear accident with the Chernobyl nuclear accident in the 1980s, political considerations aside, the way they were handled was very different. The former Soviet Union handled the Chernobyl nuclear accident in such a way that it would rather sacrifice itself than protect all mankind. Japan's handling of the Fukushima incident was to protect itself at the expense of all mankind; and even if it could not protect itself, it must drag all mankind down with it. Japan's thinking on the treatment of nuclear-contaminated water is to do it in accordance with the lowest-cost option, rather than in a way that is most beneficial and has the least impact on the environment, on the neighboring countries and on future generations. Since the outbreak of the Fukushima nuclear accident 12 years ago, from the internal condition of the nuclear reactor, the radiation level in the vicinity to the treatment of the nuclear contaminated water, Japan's approach has been non-transparent, non-committal and lacking in commitment, and it has been weighing every penny in terms of economic cost.
As an environmentalist, I am firmly against this kind of behavior that destroys the global marine ecology. Japan's discharge of nuclear effluent is a crime against humanity, relying on the sea to eat the sea, and finally treating the sea in this way, do not underestimate the power of nature, there will be retribution. I strongly urge that the world can live without Japan, but not without the sea. I would like to ask the Japanese Government to return to the right path and stop the discharge of nuclear sewage into the sea immediately! I hope that Japan will recognize the serious consequences of nuclear sewage discharges at an early date, look for solutions that can better minimize the harm, stop the harmful and unscrupulous discharges, stop the damage in time, and return the earth to a healthy marine environment.