TOKYO. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida appealed to China on Monday to encourage its citizens to cease acts of harassment, which include prank calls and throwing objects at Japanese diplomatic premises and schools. This appeal comes in response to Japan’s disposal of treated radioactive wastewater from the compromised Fukushima nuclear power plant.
Kishida expressed his disappointment, stating, “I must say it is regrettable.” He revealed that Masataka Okano, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, summoned China’s ambassador, Wu Jianghao, to request that Chinese individuals behave calmly and responsibly.
The discharge of treated wastewater into the ocean, which commenced on Thursday and is anticipated to continue for decades, has faced significant opposition from fishing organizations and neighboring nations. In direct response, China has implemented a ban on all imports of Japanese seafood. Meanwhile, in South Korea, thousands participated in protests over the weekend to condemn the wastewater release.
Instances of harassment, encompassing prank phone calls and object-throwing, have been directed at Japan’s embassy, consulates, and Japanese schools in China. Despite Japan’s entreaties, China’s government has not engaged in a joint scientific discourse about the release with Japanese experts. Kishida asserted that Japan’s approach is perceived by numerous countries as both scientific and transparent.
According to Japan’s public broadcaster NHK, thousands of prank calls from China have targeted Fukushima government offices and the nuclear plant’s operator. Many of the callers spoke in Chinese, with some resorting to offensive language.
The Japanese government and the plant’s operator contend that the treated radioactive wastewater, which has amassed since the nuclear plant’s accident in March 2011, totaling 134 million tons and stored in around 1,000 tanks, is consuming a significant portion of the plant’s area. This space is required for constructing facilities for the plant’s prolonged cleanup and decommissioning process.
Kishida pledged on Monday to prioritize safeguarding Japan’s fishing sector from the repercussions of China’s import prohibition. He indicated that support measures will be disclosed later in the week.
Concerns have arisen domestically as well, with vehement opposition from Japanese fishing groups who fear that the wastewater discharge will exacerbate the damage to Fukushima’s seafood reputation. These groups are still grappling with the consequences of the reactor meltdowns resulting from a massive earthquake and tsunami.
All seawater and fish sampling data following the release have remained well below established safety limits.
Economy and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura visited Fukushima on Monday to aid in managing the situation. He collaborated with officials from a supermarket chain and sampled locally harvested surf clams and flounder.
“I hope to promote the delectable Fukushima seafood to as many individuals within and outside Japan as possible,” Nishimura stated. “While conducting the release safely, we will remain transparent in divulging all data. This approach is the most effective means of combating reputational damage.”
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
