On March 12, 2024, the President of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) within the United Nations emphasized to the Tokyo Government the importance of transparency in the ongoing discharge of treated radioactive wastewater at the devastated Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi also stated that they support increasing Japan’s nuclear capacity and that the country sees nuclear energy as a stable and clean energy source.[1]
It is the first time Grossi being in Japan since the purified water release began in August. Grossi’s visit took place a day after Japan marked the 13th anniversary of the 11th March earthquake and tsunami that triggered the Fukushima disaster. The disaster occurred in 2011 damaged the power supply and reactor cooling functions of the Fukushima power plant, triggering a triple meltdown and causing a huge amount of radioactive wastewater buildup. After more than a decade of cleaning work, the plant began discharging water on 24th August after purifying and diluting it with seawater. The process is expected to take decades.[2]
These discharges have been opposed by all the neighbor states, including China, which has banned all seafood imports from Japan. Japan asked the IAEA for assistance in security monitoring and evaluation to address all the concerns. Grossi told Japanese Minister of Economic and Industry, Ken Saito that “it is very important to demonstrate the transparency of this process.”[3]
Grossi also offered technical assistance to Japan for optimizing the inactive Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in the Niigita region of northern Japan, operated by Fukushina Daiichi. The company and the government want to restart the power plant soon. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa power plant’s reactors 6 and 7 passed regulators’ safety tests for restarting. However, after safety issues occurred in 2021, further preparations were suspended. That condition lasted until December, when regulators accepted to improve.[4]
The IAEA is sending a team of experts to the plant for assisting Tokyo Electronic Power Company in its efforts to acquire public trust. “We want to help Japan’s nuclear capacity become operational as soon as possible,” Grossi told Saito. The restart of the power plant remains uncertain as it is a subject to be approved by the host community. The earthquake on 1st January in the Noto region fomented safety concerns and led nuclear regulators to instruct a revision of evacuation plans for nuclear facilities across the country.[5]
The Tokyo Government has reversed previous nuclear phase-out plans and is accelerating the use of nuclear energy in response to rising fuel costs due to Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine and pressure to meet decarbonization targets. Grossi, who will meet the Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa on March 14, is expected to discuss nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and cooperation with North Korea and Iran on the peaceful use of atomic energy.[6]
Officials have said Japan also wants to provide financial support to IAEA efforts to protect Ukrainian nuclear facilities from Russian attacks. In his meeting with IAEA president Rafael Grossi, the Japanese Environment Minister Shintaro Ito promised to cooperate with the IAEA on the disposal of the radioactive soil resulting from the decontamination works in Fukushima. This soil was placed in a temporary storage facility in Fukushima. The Government’s plan to recycle the soil after safety testing for road construction and other public works was confronted with violent protests. The Government has promised a final disposal plan outside the province until 2045.[7]
The IAEA’s attitude towards Japan’s nuclear energy program can be examined through Grossi’s visit to Japan and the assessment of the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Grossi’s promise to support and offer of technical assistance to Japan demonstrates IAEA’s role in providing cooperation and security to member states.
The environmental impacts of the Fukushima disaster, especially concerns about discharging the radioactive wastewater into seawater reflect environmental sensitivity and public reactions. Risks that occur because of nuclear energy operations and waste management strategies can be examined in terms of environmental sustainability and safety.
Japan’s opinion about seeing nuclear energy as clean and sustainable is a reflection about its energy policies and economic preferences. Rising energy costs, especially because of the Russia-Ukraine war, and pressures on decarbonization targets may have influenced Japan’s decision to accelerate the use of nuclear energy.
Issues such as the reactivation of nuclear facilities and the disposal of radioactive waste reflect society’s attitude towards energy policies and environmental policies. Discussions on these issues examine society’s perception and demands towards nuclear energy and environmental risks.
The role of the IAEA in monitoring and evaluating the safety of Japan’s nuclear facilities is important for international nuclear security and cooperation. Japan’s intention to provide financial support for Ukraine can be analyzed in relation to international nuclear policies and crises.
IAEA President Rafael Grossi’s visit to Japan and the support provided by the IAEA to Japan are important for international nuclear security and cooperation. However, the environmental impacts and social responsiveness to the Fukushima disaster, demonstrate the weakness of social acceptance and trust towards nuclear energy. Japan renewed focus on nuclear energy is shaped due to economic and geopolitical pressures.
As a result, strategies dealing with environmental and security risks of nuclear energy influence both, Japan’s domestic policy and international security debates. Therefore, it is critical to take further decisions based on environmental sustainability, society admission and international cooperation.
[1] “UN Nuclear Chief tells Japan Transparency is ‘Very Important’ in Ruined Nuclear Plant’s Discharges”, Associated Press News, https://apnews.com/article/japan-iaea-grossi-fukushima-nuclear-discharge-d96d22a1ae5acb92154b38af503cd43d, (Date of Access: 13/03/2024).
[2] “UN Nuclear Chief Tells Japan Transparency is ‘Very Important’ in Ruined Nuclear Plant’s Discharges”, ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/nuclear-chief-visits-japan-examine-fukushima-wastewater-release-108038384, (Date of Access: 13/03/2024).
[3] “IAEA Chief Reassures Residents that Treated Wastewater Discharge at Fukushima Nuclear Plant is Safe”, The Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/03/13/japan-iaea-fukushima-nuclear-grossi-discharge/83577d9a-e0f5-11ee-95aa-7384336086f3_story.html, (Date of Access: 13/03/2024).
[4] “UN Nuclear Chief tells Japan Transparency is ‘Very Important’ in Ruined Nuclear Plant’s Discharges”, Associated Press News, https://apnews.com/article/japan-iaea-grossi-fukushima-nuclear-discharge-d96d22a1ae5acb92154b38af503cd43d, (Date of Access: 13/03/2024).
[5] “UN Nuclear Chief Tells Japan Transparency is ‘Very Important’ in Ruined Nuclear Plant’s Discharges”, ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/nuclear-chief-visits-japan-examine-fukushima-wastewater-release-108038384, (Date of Access: 13/03/2024).
[6] “IAEA Chief Reassures Residents that Treated Wastewater Discharge at Fukushima Nuclear Plant is Safe”, The Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/03/13/japan-iaea-fukushima-nuclear-grossi-discharge/83577d9a-e0f5-11ee-95aa-7384336086f3_story.html, (Date of Access: 13/03/2024).
[7] “UN Nuclear Chief Tells Japan Transparency is ‘Very Important’ in Ruined Nuclear Plant’s Discharges”, ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/nuclear-chief-visits-japan-examine-fukushima-wastewater-release-108038384, (Date of Access: 13/03/2024).
