Start of Test Operation for Fukushima Contaminated Water Discharge Facility "Goal to Complete Preparation Within This Month"

Test run started at 8:40 AM that day... Countdown to discharge
Japanese fishermen still oppose... Government tries to calm public opinion

Japan has begun the trial operation of the contaminated water discharge facility at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Some analyses suggest that all preparations for discharge will be completed within this month, indicating that Japan's plan to start releasing the water this summer is entering its final countdown.

Japan's public broadcaster NHK reported that Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) started the trial operation of the contaminated water discharge facility at the Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant from 8:40 a.m. on the 12th.

During this trial operation, TEPCO will inject fresh water without radioactive materials into each facility instead of contaminated water. Afterwards, they will mix this with seawater and discharge it into the sea in front of the power plant to test whether the designated amount of water can be released into the sea, and verify if the water flow can be stopped in case of any abnormalities. The performance test will be conducted over two weeks.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

TEPCO is known to have started testing the operation of contaminated water transfer pumps and seawater pumps from the morning of the same day. Along with the trial operation, they also plan to retrieve the heavy excavation equipment remaining at the contaminated water underwater tunnel discharge outlet. Once this work is completed, the construction related to contaminated water discharge will be virtually finished.

NHK stated, "After performance verification and inspections by the Nuclear Regulation Authority of Japan, preparations for discharge could be completed within this month." Additionally, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which will provide the basis for the Japanese government's discharge decision, is expected to release its final report this month. The current atmosphere suggests that the IAEA is unlikely to oppose the plan.

However, with strong opposition voices within Japan, the government is showing last-minute conciliatory moves to calm domestic public opinion, which is also expected to influence the timing of the discharge.

Fukushima's private broadcaster Fukushima Central TV reported that Yasutoshi Nishimura, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry responsible for the nuclear power plant, met with fisheries officials in Fukushima Prefecture on the 10th to seek their understanding once again.

Minister Nishimura visited Iwaki City and met with Tetsu Nozaki, Chairman of the Fukushima Prefecture Fisheries Cooperative Association Federation, explaining that "the marine discharge of contaminated water is an unavoidable task in the process of decommissioning the nuclear power plant," and promised to "make efforts so that fisheries and decommissioning can coexist." However, Chairman Nozaki reportedly maintained his opposition, stating, "I oppose the discharge of contaminated water because I cannot leave Fukushima and continue working in fisheries."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Minister Nishimura later met with the heads of fisheries cooperatives in Miyagi Prefecture and Ibaraki Prefecture, which neighbor Fukushima. Haruhiko Terasawa, Chairman of the Miyagi Prefecture Fisheries Cooperative Association, who met Minister Nishimura for the first time that day, pointed out, "It would have been better to hear the voices of fishermen in Miyagi Prefecture a little earlier. The marine discharge discussions are centered around Fukushima Prefecture, but Miyagi shares fishing grounds with Fukushima, and the measures and compensation responses differ."

Masami Tobita, Chairman of the Ibaraki Prefecture Fisheries Cooperative Association, also expressed concerns, saying, "Anxiety about the future is growing, and worries about whether fisheries can continue are increasing."

The Fukushima regional newspaper Fukushima Minpo reported, "Minister Nishimura did not mention specific discharge timings. Although the government and TEPCO's preparations have reached their final stages, public understanding has not yet been formed, and voices calling for cautious responses remain strong in Fukushima Prefecture."