G7 Supports IAEA's Independent Verification of Fukushima Contaminated Water

The leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) have clearly expressed their support for the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) independent verification of the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

On the 20th, the G7 leaders stated in a joint communiqu? regarding the Fukushima contaminated water discharge that they "support the IAEA's independent verification, which will be conducted according to safety standards and international law to ensure no harm to humans and the environment."

In the joint communiqu? reflecting the outcomes of the summit held over three days from the 19th in Hiroshima, Japan, the G7 expressed their position by saying, "We welcome Tokyo Electric Power Company's decommissioning work at the Fukushima nuclear plant and Japan's transparent efforts based on scientific evidence in cooperation with the IAEA." The G7 had also expressed support for the IAEA's independent verification of the Fukushima nuclear plant in the joint communiqu? of the Climate, Energy, and Environment Ministers' meeting held last month in Sapporo, Hokkaido.

However, the current joint communiqu? omitted the phrase encouraging "Japan to proceed with its plans in an open and transparent manner while closely communicating with the international community."

Yasutoshi Nishimura, Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, stated at a press conference during the G7 Climate, Energy, and Environment Ministers' meeting in Sapporo last month that "Japan's transparent response was welcomed" regarding the contaminated water discharge, which drew criticism from Steffi Lemke, Germany's Environment Minister. At that time, Minister Lemke pointed out that "the discharge of contaminated water cannot be welcomed."

Meanwhile, the Japanese government plans to begin discharging contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant this summer. A South Korean government inspection team, tasked with reviewing the contaminated water treatment process, will visit Japan from the 21st to the 26th.