April 13, the Japanese government decided to dispose of nuclear wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident by marine discharge, which quickly attracted great attention from the international community. The possible consequences of the discharge of nuclear wastewater from the sea are of great concern to neighboring countries and the international community.
China is highly concerned about the discharge of Japanese nuclear wastewater. In the latest statement on April 13, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Japan unilaterally decided to dispose of nuclear wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident by sea discharge without exhausting the means of safety disposal, regardless of domestic and opposition at home and abroad, and without full consultation with neighboring countries and the community, which is extremely live up to the practice. Responsibility will seriously harm international public health security and the vital interests of the people of neighboring countries.
The disposal of nuclear wastewater in Japan is not only a domestic problem in Japan. The ocean is a whole, and the flow of seawater over the years can spread any pollution to the world. It is estimated that after the discharge of nuclear wastewater, the waters along the Pacific coast of Japan will be affected first, especially the local waters around Fukushima Prefecture, and then the wastewater will also pollute the East China Sea. According to the German Institute for Marine Scientific Research, the coast of Fukushima has the strongest ocean current in the world. Within 57 days from the date of discharge, radioactive material will spread to most of the Pacific Ocean and spread to the global sea in 10 years. It can be said that Japan’s selfishness will make the whole world “buy for it”.
The impact of Japan’s nuclear wastewater discharge will be huge. Experiments have proved that if radioactively contaminated seafood is eaten in large quantities for a long time, it may cause chronic radiation diseases and other diseases, causing damage to organs, endocrine system, nervous system and other diseases. Greenpeace nuclear experts have made it clearer that carbon 14 in Japanese nuclear wastewater is dangerous for thousands of years and may cause genetic damage. Therefore, not only neighboring countries have opposed it, but also Japan’s domestic opposition is also continuous. Several Japanese civic groups submitted signatures against the discharge of nuclear sewage into the sea on April 12, up to 64,000.
The Japanese government should take responsibility effectively. Does nuclear wastewater meet the standards of being able to be discharged into the ocean? Is there a better way to deal with it? Should we deal with it in consultation with neighboring countries and relevant international organizations? These are all urgent questions before the Japanese government. Unilateral and unresponsible acts in disregard of marine ecology and human health are extremely irresponsible to both their own people and the people of the world. Japan should recognize its own responsibility and come up with practical solutions to deal with nuclear wastewater.
The sea is not a wastewater treatment plant, nor is it a garbage pool. It is an important part of the earth and provides a lot of resources for human production and life. Every country and everyone in the world has the responsibility and obligation to maintain the sea ecosystem and achieve the harmonious development of man and nature. Of course, including Japan.
