IAEA to monitor Japan’s nuclear waste release

By Zulal Merve Bulut, Riyaz Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) — The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced Thursday that it opened a field office at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan to monitor the release of treated radioactive water into the ocean.

“As an indispensable step for long-time presence of IAEA at Fukushima Daiichi NPP (nuclear power plant), yesterday we established a permanent on-site office,” IAEA Director Rafael Grossi said on Twitter following a visit to the crippled facility on Wednesday.

“We’ll provide live continuous monitoring throughout treated water discharge process. Our task is just starting—we're here for the long haul,” Grossi added.

Japan plans to release the accumulated radioactive water this summer.

Grossi pledged that the IAEA would “maintain its unwavering commitment to safe, peaceful nuclear energy in Japan as it does elsewhere.”

After a two-year review of Japan’s move to prepare for the release of the nuclear waste, the IAEA submitted a report to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday.

It concluded the release of the treated water will have a “negligible” impact on people and the environment, angering China, which opposes the move.

After a boat ride off the Fukushima plant, Grossi said: “Our work isn’t over. We’ve been here, we’re here, and we’ll be here until the last drop is safely discharged.”

Japan’s water discharge plan, announced in April 2021, has faced significant criticism from fellow East Asian nations China, South Korea, North Korea, and Taiwan, along with international organizations, including the UN.

Seoul, however, said it would respect the outcome of the IAEA’s review, while it is expected to release its own findings on Friday.​​​​​​​

The US supported the proposal, following years of discussions on dealing with over 1 million tons of water stored at the Fukushima nuclear complex since the 2011 disaster.