THE confirmation of the Chinese Foreign Ministry establishing a long-term international monitoring arrangement and allowing stakeholders to conduct independent sampling and monitoring between China and Japan has sparked the chances of regional cooperation of systematic disposing of contaminated water, preserving of oceanography, maritime bio-diversity, ecological balance and last but not least, further consolidation of blue economy and markets of fishes and sea foods in the region and beyond.
It is indeed a wise decision of both sides to further protect the environment, nature, business and people’s health in the region. Unfortunately, despite serious concerns of many regional countries including South Korea, China and small Islands along with displeasure and disapproval of a large domestic fishery community and industry the Japanese government unilaterally started the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the ocean on August 24, 2023 which endangered sea species, humanity, commerce, and overall regional maritime security.
Being one of most important stakeholders, China is firmly opposed to this irresponsible move. China has urged Japan to seriously revisit its policy of disposing contaminated waters in sea by fulfilling its obligations, to give full cooperation in the establishment of an independent and effective long-term international monitoring arrangement in which stakeholders can participate substantively, and to accept independent sampling and monitoring by China. It seems that prevailing sanity has encouraged both sides to recently conduct multiple rounds of consultations on the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the ocean, and reached the following agreement which is holistic and comprehensive.
According to this mutually accepted agreement Japan is pledging its commitments and obligations under international law, doing its utmost to avoid leaving a negative impact on human health and the environment, and conducting continuous evaluations of the impact on the marine environment and marine ecosystems. Thus it guarantees protection of core issues of humanity, environment and nature which is the right way in the right direction.
The readiness of Japan to establish a long-term international monitoring arrangement within the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) framework covering key stages in the discharge of the nuclear-contaminated water ensuring genuine concerns of China and other regional stakeholders through participation and carrying out of independent sampling and monitoring as well as inter-laboratory comparisons (ILCs) has created many matching boxes for regional cooperation.
Agreeing of both sides to extend cooperation and continuation of constructive, science-based dialogue with a great sense of responsibility for the ecosystem, the environment, and human life and health, to properly address concerns over the discharge of the nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean is the big dividend of ongoing political consultation and diplomatic meetings having multiplier socio-economic and geopolitical effects.
China’s urging of taking temporary emergency safeguards against aquatic products of Japanese origin according to relevant Chinese laws and regulations and WTO rules should not be taken as timely policy readjustment and not an act of any kind of professional or personal prejudice and type of trade embargo. And it promises to gradually resume imports of Japanese aquatic products that meet the regulation requirements and standards showing a constructive approach and a balanced policy.
According to regional reports, approximately 60,000 tons of water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant have been discharged as part of Japan’s 30-year program to release around one million tons of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the ocean. Independent experts have expressed serious concerns about this ongoing dumping, recurrent leakage accidents, and poor handling of the situation over the past year, significantly tarnishing the reputation of TEPCO and the Japanese government, eroding public trust and provoking wider backlash. In response, TEPCO has attempted to address the flaws in the outflows of contaminated water following the disposal of the 60,000 tons from the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
In summary, diplomatic wisdom from both sides has led to an agreement that provides an opportunity for regional stakeholders and international players to safeguard the environment, maritime security, biodiversity, the blue economy, public health, and precious sea species. Efforts should be initiated to strengthen trust among fishermen and the public for the overall betterment of humanity and the environment. The disposal of contaminated water has resulted in the cessation of seafood imports from Japan by multiple countries, including China and Russia, which will hopefully resume after implementing this agreement.
The Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) should be a permanent feature at the Fukushima water station to reduce health risks. Furthermore, systematic and scientific measures must be adopted to minimize catastrophic consequences for marine ecology and food safety. The ocean, as the source of all life, should not become a hub of radioactive materials, which threaten human lives, production cycles, and the development of the blue economy, heavily reliant on the safety of maritime ecology, oceanography, and biodiversity. Unfounded claims should be dismissed, and the roles of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the UN’s nuclear watchdog should be enhanced.
—The writer is President, the Society of International Relations & Law, the Institute of Legal Studies, Lahore, Director: The Centre for Pak-China Corridor of Knowledge.
