Global efforts on monitoring stressed as IAEA chief concludes Fukushima visit

Many Japanese citizens continue to voice strong opposition to the release of nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean, citing safety concerns. Meanwhile, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency concluded his three-day visit to Japan on Thursday.

Members of Japanese civic groups have urged the Tokyo Electric Power Company, or TEPCO, the operator of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, to ensure full transparency in disclosing information about the discharge. They also called on the Japanese government to evaluate its long-term impact and emphasized the importance of global cooperation in data collection.

They pushed for the involvement of third-party organizations and international scientists in the monitoring process.

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As part of his visit, IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi viewed an interim storage site in Fukushima Prefecture, where soil contaminated by the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster is being held.

Speaking at a news conference at the Japanese National Press Club in Tokyo on Thursday, Grossi expressed appreciation for the participation of Chinese experts in monitoring the ocean discharge.

"I'm very satisfied and also grateful for the Chinese understanding and the participation of their experts," said Grossi.

"I hope that we continue in this collaborative way," he added.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun on Thursday confirmed that China also sent its experts during Grossi's visit.

"This is part of the steps that Japan has promised to take on the issue of the discharge of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the sea," Guo said.

"Going forward, we will keep you updated on the progress of the ongoing international monitoring of the nuclear-contaminated water and China's independent sampling and monitoring," he added.

Grossi acknowledged that China and other nations have continued to express concerns over the monitoring system for ocean discharge and have shown a desire to play a more active role. In response, he proposed expanding opportunities within the IAEA's established system. This would allow experts from China and other interested countries — particularly those from laboratories that regularly collaborate with the IAEA — to participate, collect their own samples, send them to their home countries, and conduct independent evaluations.

Despite these efforts, skepticism remains regarding the reliability of the monitoring process and the transparency of information disclosed within the IAEA's system.

Takae Miyaguchi, a Tokyo resident in her 70s, called on TEPCO to ensure full transparency in disclosing information about the ocean discharge of nuclear-contaminated water. She also urged the Japanese government to thoroughly assess the long-term impacts of the release.

"Various stakeholders and independent institutions should be involved in monitoring the discharge of contaminated water," she said.

Objective data urged

Ukeru Magosaki, director of the East Asian Community Institute, emphasized the importance of gathering comprehensive and objective data on the release of radioactive water. He urged the Japanese government to actively support global collaboration in data collection. He also underscored the necessity of involving independent third parties and international scientists in the process.

Kenichi Oshima, chairman of the Citizens' Commission on Nuclear Energy, advocated for an independent organization — separate from both the Japanese government and TEPCO — to oversee the monitoring process. He also proposed the creation of a framework that allows local residents in Japan to participate in the oversight.

Ruiko Mutoh, a representative of the Complainants for Criminal Prosecution of the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster, emphasized that the release proceeded despite strong opposition from many citizens, including those in the fishing industry.

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She highlighted that concerns were voiced not only by China and South Korea but also by Pacific island nations and residents on the West Coast of the United States.

She questioned whether the discharge complies with the London Convention and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

She said the released water contains not only tritium but also various radioactive substances from the nuclear accident, expressing doubt that its safety can be fully confirmed at this stage.

Since the triple meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi plant following the massive earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011, TEPCO has stored approximately 1.3 million tons of water at the site.

jiangxueqing@chinadaily.com.cn