The New York Times. (2022, December 30). In the Pacific, Outcry Over Japan’s Plan to Release Fukushima Wastewater. Retrieved January 29, 2023 from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/30/world/asia/japan-fukushima-wastewater-pacific-radiation.html?searchResultPosition=29
Since the Fukushima disaster, Japan has been storing radioactive water, the article “In the Pacific, Outcry Over Japan’s Plan to Release Fukushima Wastewater” explains. However, there is no longer enough space to store it, meaning that it needs to be released somehow. Japan promises that they will remove the most radioactive particles from the water before they release it into the Pacific, but activists and countries in the Pacific are still nervous about it and ask that Japan defer the release of the water.
This is one of those situations in which there seems like there are no good options. Although the wastewater does need to go somewhere, I understand why other countries are so worried, especially because they have been negatively affected by radioactivity while being promised they were safe. I think they should do more testing to see if they can get more conclusive results and release the water slowly if necessary.
This information is very intersting, what crazy is that people own bodies of water and that japan is trying to take over.
Thanks for reading. I agree that it’s crazy how countries can own water, but I suppose that’s because it’s such an important resource!
Great summary! I am also undecisive in which solution or plan Japan should take moving forward. I always think that the safety of the population should come first and whatever solution is best from that perspective, putting economical benefits aside, should be chosen.
Thanks for reading! I agree that we should put people first, although it’s sometimes not prioritzed as much as it should.
This is a very interesting after-effect of the Fukushima disaster. It’s unfortunate that this seems to be the last option—maybe the Japanese government could construct reservoirs designated for storing that water.
Thanks for your thoughtful response! I do also wish there was another option. I think building reservoirs designed to hold the water is a good idea, although there is still the risk of contamination.