Editorial | Public health must prevail with release of Fukushima water
- Hong Kong is adopting protective seafood measures, among others, as Japan prepares to pour toxic waste from its crippled nuclear plant into the sea
Treated radioactive water is expected to start flowing into the sea from Japan’s crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant tomorrow after Tokyo announced it would go ahead with the controversial move despite widespread protests.
Public health must prevail amid the uncertainty of how the environment and seafood sources will be affected by the dumping of more than 1 million tonnes of contaminated water.
Japan’s neighbours are taking no chances and adopting their own protective measures. Hong Kong yesterday said it would impose an indefinite ban on seafood imports from 10 of the country’s prefectures.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has sought to ease the fears of China, South Korea, Pacific island nations and others by pledging that all possible “measures to ensure safety” will be taken. Concern has also been raised in Japan, especially from fishing groups worried about their livelihoods.
Tokyo insists the plan approved two years ago is safe. The UN watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, last month said the proposal met international standards and would have a “negligible” impact on people and the environment.
