Controversy Over Fukushima Contaminated Water Discharge, Will IAEA Investigate... Japan "Welcomes"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The controversy over the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean is increasingly likely to be entrusted to an investigation by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stated in an interview with NHK and others on the 15th that they are considering dispatching an investigation team to Japan soon regarding the contaminated water issue at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. He said that he held a video conference with Hiroshi Kajiyama, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, the previous day and received an official cooperation request from the Japanese government concerning the ocean discharge of contaminated water, adding that they must respond seriously to concerns raised by local governments and neighboring countries such as South Korea.

The IAEA is considering sending an investigation team to Japan to verify safety in order to dispel these concerns, and the team is expected to be composed of experts from multiple countries. However, whether experts from neighboring countries such as South Korea will participate in this investigation team will be reviewed under the authority of the IAEA, Grossi mentioned.

On the same day, Katsunobu Kato, Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan, emphasized the possibility of the IAEA investigation team dispatch during a regular briefing, stating that Minister Kajiyama requested Director General Grossi the previous day to send experts as early as this summer, and Grossi responded that he would actively respond to this. Regarding the plan to include experts from neighboring countries such as South Korea in the IAEA investigation team, Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato said, "I understand that the IAEA will form the investigation team with nuclear safety experts regardless of nationality," and added, "We welcome the scientific investigation by IAEA experts."