LDP Komeito Leader: "Fukushima Contaminated Water Discharge Should Be Avoided During Beach Season"

IAEA to Release Evaluation Report Next Week

On the 2nd, Natsuo Yamaguchi, leader of Komeito, the coalition ruling party in Japan, reportedly suggested that it would be better to avoid the imminent beach season when deciding the timing for the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean.

According to Kyodo News, Yamaguchi made this remark to reporters in Fukushima on the same day. Mentioning the concerns of fishermen, he said, "I hope they calmly provide thorough explanations to avoid causing rumors (fuhyo)."

Komeito is the party that currently forms the coalition government together with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Japanese government and Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) have consistently expressed their determination to proceed with the ocean discharge of contaminated water within this summer. TEPCO completed construction and trial operation of the ocean discharge facility last month. The inspection of the discharge facility by the Nuclear Regulation Authority of Japan has also been completed, and the issuance of the "(inspection) completion certificate" is expected soon.

Additionally, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s evaluation report related to the contaminated water discharge is expected to be released around the 4th. Rafael Grossi, IAEA Director General, plans to visit Japan on the 4th to deliver the IAEA's final report.