Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio: "Fukushima Contaminated Water Discharge Cannot Be Delayed"

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (second from left) visiting Fukushima nuclear power plant
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-seop] Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced that he will proceed with the Fukushima contaminated water discharge plan as scheduled.

According to major foreign media on the 17th, Prime Minister Kishida visited the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant on the same day and said, "Seeing many (contaminated water) tanks lined up, I deeply felt that the discharge cannot be postponed," adding, "It is important to explain with transparency."

The Japanese government plans to release the contaminated water stored in tanks at the Fukushima nuclear power plant site into the ocean. The contaminated water will have radioactive nuclides removed by the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS), but since tritium cannot be filtered out, it will be diluted with water to lower the concentration before discharge. The actual discharge is expected to begin in spring 2023.

On the morning of the same day, Prime Minister Kishida inspected the decommissioning work at the Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant and met with Tokyo Electric Power Company executives. This was Prime Minister Kishida's first visit to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant since taking office on the 4th. At the site, he said, "Decommissioning is a prerequisite for the revival of the affected area," and added, "I hope the work proceeds properly while valuing trust with the local community."