US Envoy Shows Support for Japan Amid Fukushima Water Release Controversy

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel visits Hamanoeki Fish Market and Food Court, as part of his trip to Soma City in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, on Aug. 31, 2023. Philip Fong/AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. ambassador to Japan visited the Fukushima region on Aug. 31 to show support after the release of treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant triggered controversy over its safety.

During his visit, Ambassador Rahm Emanuel bought fish and dried seaweed at a fish market, visited a grocery store in Fukushima and had a seafood lunch with the mayor of Soma city, according to multiple reports.

Mr. Emanuel told reporters that he had “no reservations” about the safety of his activities and engagements in Soma City, according to a statement issued by the U.S. Embassy in Japan.

“Their commitment to international oversight, as confirmed by the IAEA and the World Health Organization, is a new benchmark,” he remarked.

Japan began releasing treated radioactive water from the Fukushima power plant on Aug. 24, a move that was met with strong opposition from fishing groups and China, which has banned seafood imports from Japan.

Mr. Emanuel criticized China for banning imports of Japanese seafood, saying that it was “overtly political.” He also suggested that Japan’s water release plan was scientifically based and fully transparent.

“The United States stands firmly with Japan, especially when contrasted with China’s overtly political decision to ban all Japanese seafood imports and past failures in openness and scientific cooperation,” he added.

The storage tanks for treated water at the tsunami-crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Okuma town, Fukushima prefecture, Japan, on Aug. 22, 2023. Kyodo via Reuters

The Fukushima Daiichi plant was destroyed in March 2011 after a massive 9.0 magnitude earthquake generated powerful tsunami waves causing meltdowns in three reactors.

According to plant operator TEPCO, the Fukushima water discharge will contain about 190 becquerels of tritium per liter, below the World Health Organization drinking water limit of 10,000 becquerels per liter. A becquerel is a unit of radioactivity.

Japan’s government has said that its standard for the release of tritium, which is below 22 trillion becquerels per year, is stricter than those of China and South Korea, which it said had released about 112 trillion becquerels and 49 trillion becquerels, respectively, in 2021.

Japan PM Eats Fukushima Fish to Show Safety

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, along with three Cabinet ministers, ate a selection of sashimi during a lunch meeting on Aug. 30 to show its safety. They ate flounder, octopus, and sea bass, all freshly caught off the Fukushima coast.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has a sashimi lunch with his ministers on Aug. 30, 2023. Reuters/Screenshot via NTD

Mr. Kishida said that he instructed officials to compile a package of support measures for seafood exporters hit by China’s import ban, including expanding domestic consumption and new destinations for Japanese seafood to replace China.

“We will patiently and resolutely call on China to take actions based on scientific evidence,” he remarked.

Japan exported about $600 million worth of aquatic products to China in 2022, making it the biggest market for Japanese exports, with Hong Kong second. Sales to China and Hong Kong accounted for 42 percent of all Japanese aquatic exports in 2022, according to government data.

Meanwhile, Japan’s Foreign Ministry has issued a travel advisory urging Japanese citizens to use extra caution in China, citing an escalation of harassment and violent protests over wastewater discharge. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said that stone throwers had targeted Japan’s embassy, consulates, and schools in China.

“It is extremely regrettable, and we are concerned,” Mr. Matsuno said.

He also hinted at the possibility of taking the case to the World Trade Organization (WTO), saying that “Japan will consider various options while continuing to work within the WTO framework to decide necessary steps.”

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.