The IAEA concluded Japan's treated water discharge consistent with international safety standards
2023/7/18
Since I first arrived in Palau last December as Japan’s new Ambassador, I have been deeply impressed with the breathtaking beauty of the nature, rich traditional culture and close historical ties between our two countries. Representing Palau’s neighbor to the north in the Pacific Ocean, I would like to discuss basic facts about Japan’s plan to discharge the treated water into the sea.
The water to be released from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station will be the water treated through the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS). This rigorous process will ensure that the concentration of radioactive materials falls far below safety and regulatory standards; the water will be further diluted prior to the release. The sole radioactive material that cannot be removed through the ALPS process is tritium, which is an isotope of hydrogen that naturally exists in oceans and in our drinking water. After dilution, the concentration of tritium will be 1/40 of the safety and regulatory standard and 1/7 of the WHO drinking water standard.
On July 4th, Mr. Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA presented the comprehensive report on the safety of ALPS treated water to Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida. In the report, the IAEA has concluded that the approach to the discharge of the ALPS treated water into the sea and associated activities are consistent with relevant international safety standards, and the planned discharge will have a negligible radiological impact on people and the environment. In addition, the report states that the IAEA’s additional review and monitoring activities are envisaged that will continue during and after the discharge of the treated water.
I welcome this report by the IAEA, the international organization which is authorized to establish or adopt and apply international safety standards in the field of nuclear energy, under the IAEA Statute. Based on this conclusion of the comprehensive report, Japan will continue to provide necessary information to the international community in a transparent manner, and will continue efforts to gain further understanding from the international community regarding the handling of ALPS treated water.
I understand that phrases associated with ALPS treated water such as "nuclear" or "radioactive substance" may invoke concerns relating to the health and the marine environment, upon which many, particularly those living in the Pacific region, rely for livelihoods. Please allow me to point out that should Japan’s measures fall short of international safety standards, the people of Japan would be the first to be affected. Therefore, the Government of Japan (GOJ) has always prioritized safety of people and the environment and will continue to do so.
The GOJ has always been and will continue to be transparent in this process and to do the utmost to garner the trust and understanding of our neighbors in the Pacific.
To date, the GOJ has held 14 briefing sessions since 2021 through diplomatic missions in Tokyo and at various international meetings, such as at the IAEA. When the delegation of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) visited Japan in February 2023, Prime Minister Kishida reiterated Japan's commitment to ensure that "the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea will not be allowed in a manner that endangers the lives of Japanese citizens or those of the citizens of Pacific Island countries." In addition, five video conferences with the PIF secretariat and six briefings with the PIF Expert Panel have been held so far.
Finally, I wish to thank the Government and the people of Palau for the steadfast friendship shown to Japan. I am deeply grateful for the trust H.E. President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. expressed in Japan's plan. It was an honor for me to accompany President Whipps and his delegation that included representatives of OEK and a traditional leader to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station last month. It marked the first official visit to the power station by a Head of State. I believe that this visit has deepened the delegation’s understanding on these highly technical processes.
The aftermath of the devastating earthquake in 2011 has not been easy to navigate; Japan will continue to address issues on energy and climate change with full transparency and accountability. Japan views the use of renewables and nuclear power as a critical part of achieving greenhouse gas reduction and decarbonization. The continued support of the Government and the people of Palau to Japan is greatly appreciated.
Ambassador of Japan to Palau, ORIKASA Hiroyuki
The water to be released from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station will be the water treated through the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS). This rigorous process will ensure that the concentration of radioactive materials falls far below safety and regulatory standards; the water will be further diluted prior to the release. The sole radioactive material that cannot be removed through the ALPS process is tritium, which is an isotope of hydrogen that naturally exists in oceans and in our drinking water. After dilution, the concentration of tritium will be 1/40 of the safety and regulatory standard and 1/7 of the WHO drinking water standard.
On July 4th, Mr. Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA presented the comprehensive report on the safety of ALPS treated water to Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida. In the report, the IAEA has concluded that the approach to the discharge of the ALPS treated water into the sea and associated activities are consistent with relevant international safety standards, and the planned discharge will have a negligible radiological impact on people and the environment. In addition, the report states that the IAEA’s additional review and monitoring activities are envisaged that will continue during and after the discharge of the treated water.
I welcome this report by the IAEA, the international organization which is authorized to establish or adopt and apply international safety standards in the field of nuclear energy, under the IAEA Statute. Based on this conclusion of the comprehensive report, Japan will continue to provide necessary information to the international community in a transparent manner, and will continue efforts to gain further understanding from the international community regarding the handling of ALPS treated water.
I understand that phrases associated with ALPS treated water such as "nuclear" or "radioactive substance" may invoke concerns relating to the health and the marine environment, upon which many, particularly those living in the Pacific region, rely for livelihoods. Please allow me to point out that should Japan’s measures fall short of international safety standards, the people of Japan would be the first to be affected. Therefore, the Government of Japan (GOJ) has always prioritized safety of people and the environment and will continue to do so.
The GOJ has always been and will continue to be transparent in this process and to do the utmost to garner the trust and understanding of our neighbors in the Pacific.
To date, the GOJ has held 14 briefing sessions since 2021 through diplomatic missions in Tokyo and at various international meetings, such as at the IAEA. When the delegation of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) visited Japan in February 2023, Prime Minister Kishida reiterated Japan's commitment to ensure that "the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea will not be allowed in a manner that endangers the lives of Japanese citizens or those of the citizens of Pacific Island countries." In addition, five video conferences with the PIF secretariat and six briefings with the PIF Expert Panel have been held so far.
Finally, I wish to thank the Government and the people of Palau for the steadfast friendship shown to Japan. I am deeply grateful for the trust H.E. President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. expressed in Japan's plan. It was an honor for me to accompany President Whipps and his delegation that included representatives of OEK and a traditional leader to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station last month. It marked the first official visit to the power station by a Head of State. I believe that this visit has deepened the delegation’s understanding on these highly technical processes.
The aftermath of the devastating earthquake in 2011 has not been easy to navigate; Japan will continue to address issues on energy and climate change with full transparency and accountability. Japan views the use of renewables and nuclear power as a critical part of achieving greenhouse gas reduction and decarbonization. The continued support of the Government and the people of Palau to Japan is greatly appreciated.
Ambassador of Japan to Palau, ORIKASA Hiroyuki