Despite widespread concerns for public health and marine ecology, Japan is forging ahead with its plan to release nuclear wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean next month. In response, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has announced it will ban imports of seafood from Fukushima and nine other prefectures once the discharge begins. The HKSAR government’s decision to strengthen quality control on Japanese food imports and prohibit products from those regions is a necessary measure to protect the health of local residents and a bold move to hold Japan accountable for its irresponsible nuclear wastewater disposal plan.
The Fukushima disaster, which occurred in 2011, continues to cast a long shadow over the region. Now, Japan’s plan to release 1.3 million metric tons of nuclear wastewater into the ocean starting in August marks an unprecedented and alarming turn. The sheer volume of contaminated water, coupled with the potential for human error, poses significant risks to seafood safety and the broader marine ecosystem. Furthermore, as the wastewater discharge plan is slated to last for 30 years, there is no assurance that major risks to food safety and marine ecology won’t emerge during the long process.
Japan insists that its plan to release treated wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean meets safety standards, a claim endorsed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and tacitly supported by the United States. However, Wang Hanling, an expert in maritime law at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, has pointed out that the IAEA report does not prove the safety of Japan’s nuclear wastewater discharge, as the samples and data obtained are incomplete and cannot guarantee comprehensive, accurate, and objective test results. Moreover, the IAEA does not have the authority to approve nuclear wastewater discharges into the ocean.
In the face of Japan’s reckless plan to release Fukushima’s nuclear wastewater, Hong Kong’s decision to protect its residents and marine ecosystem is both necessary and laudable. As the international community grapples with the ongoing consequences of the Fukushima disaster, it is crucial that other places follow Hong Kong’s lead and take a firm stance against risky actions that could have lasting implications for human health and the environment
The nuclear wastewater in question primarily consists of core cooling water, rainwater, and groundwater that came into contact with the melted core of the nuclear reactor after the Fukushima nuclear accident. This wastewater contains a large amount of highly concentrated radioactive substances, including tritium, which tends to accumulate in the human body, and iodine-129, which can cause thyroid cancer. Given the inherent risks, it’s little wonder that neighboring countries likely to be affected by Japan’s nuclear wastewater discharge, particularly China and South Korea, have expressed strong opposition since the announcement of the plan.
In fact, China’s General Administration of Customs was the first to announce an immediate ban on the import of Japanese food from 10 prefectures, including Fukushima, with imports from other regions requiring safety clearance documentation. The subsequent inspection on imported Japanese foods follows a 100 percent examination standard to protect public health. The HKSAR government has said that it will adopt strict import control measures once Japan launches the nuclear wastewater discharge plan, including banning seafood imports from high-risk coastal prefectures in the Fukushima area. This is undoubtedly a commendable approach.
Japan’s assurances about its ability to filter radioactive elements from the wastewater have been called into question by recent events. For instance, a fish caught near the Fukushima nuclear power plant was found to have a radiation level 180 times higher than the standard. This revelation undermines Japan’s claims of effective filtration and raises concerns that the true extent of the contamination is far greater than currently understood.
That Hong Kong, a major importer of Japanese agricultural and seafood products, plans a potential ban on importing seafood from high-risk regions is a responsible move aimed at ensuring that Hong Kong residents can eat with confidence. Regarding seafood products from other regions in Japan, the HKSAR government must continue to strengthen inspection and monitoring efforts and expand coverage of the potential ban when necessary to prevent high-risk products from entering the city.
In the face of Japan’s reckless plan to release Fukushima’s nuclear wastewater, Hong Kong’s decision to protect its residents and marine ecosystem is both necessary and laudable. As the international community grapples with the ongoing consequences of the Fukushima disaster, it is crucial that other places follow Hong Kong’s lead and take a firm stance against risky actions that could have lasting implications for human health and the environment.
The author is co-convener of China Retold, a Legislative Council member, and a member of the Central Committee of the New People’s Party.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.