IAEA Director General's Visit to Japan to Verify Fukushima Nuclear Plant Contaminated Water Discharge into the Ocean

IAEA Director General Grossi speaking at the General Conference
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon]Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), visited Japan on the 18th for a three-day trip to conduct an on-site inspection related to the plan to release radioactive contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean, local media reported.

On the same day, Director General Grossi held talks with Koichi Hagiuda, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, exchanging views on Tokyo Electric Power Company's plan to treat the contaminated water from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant starting next spring with the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) to remove multiple radionuclides, then dilute it with seawater to lower the concentration of tritium before discharging it into the Pacific Ocean.

Minister Hagiuda stated, "It is very important to gain understanding domestically and internationally regarding the discharge of treated water (contaminated water)," expressing full cooperation with the IAEA's verification. In response, Director General Grossi said, "We will continue the verification process."

At the meeting, Director General Grossi reportedly said, "Once the verification is completed, people around the world will be able to have confidence that the treated water (contaminated water) does not adversely affect health or the environment."

On the 19th, Director General Grossi is scheduled to inspect the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant and meet with Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi. On the last day of his visit, the 20th, he will also hold a press conference.

The IAEA is verifying the safety of the plan to release contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean at Japan's request.

Earlier, last month, the IAEA Task Force (TF) praised in its first report that "Tokyo Electric Power Company and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry have made considerable efforts to consult and communicate the discharge procedures with stakeholders and the public."

The Task Force added, "Before discharging water treated by ALPS, a comprehensive report compiling the Task Force's conclusions will be published," noting, "This report will include the final conclusions."