Water discharged from nuclear plant can't harm humans, environment

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. [AP photo]

On July 4, the IAEA published its Comprehensive Report, which concluded that, first, the approach to the discharge of the ALPS-treated water into the sea and associated activities was consistent with relevant international safety standards, and second, the radiological impact on humans and the environment was negligible. The report also stated that additional review and monitoring by the IAEA will continue after the discharge starts.

As for the water discharged after dilution, the concentration of tritium will be 1/40 of the regulatory standard and 1/7 of the WHO drinking water standard, and the concentration of radioactive materials other than tritium will be less than 1/100 of the regulatory standard. Tritium exists in nature and can be found in rain, sea and tap water as well as human bodies, but does not accumulate in the human bodies.

To gain further understanding, Japan has held over 1,500 meetings with interested parties domestically and internationally, and many have welcomed the IAEA's conclusion. The IAEA positively noted that Japan has provided information and has engaged in consultations with the interested parties including within Japan and abroad and has conducted significant outreach activities to ensure transparency. In Kenya, we have had a briefing session with diverse actors, including the media (on August 29), to explain the situation.

Japan will never allow any discharge of water into the sea that would endanger human health and the environment. I would like to highlight that Japan and Tokyo Electric Power Company's (TEPCO) are conducting multi-layered monitoring, with the involvement of the IAEA, and should a problem be detected such as radioactive concentrations that exceed the standard, Japan will take appropriate measures, including suspension of the discharges.

Since the discharge started on August 24, 2023, the results of monitoring by the Government of Japan and TEPCO have been made public in a timely manner both domestically and internationally. Japan is committed to providing information based on scientific evidence in a transparent and timely manner to people across the world.