Japanese seafood set to return to China after Fukushima wastewater row
Al JazeeraMAY 30
China to Resume Japanese Seafood Imports After Fukushima Ban
Above: A field managed by ReFruits Co., a company hoping to revitalise agriculture in the area by growing kiwi fruit, some five kilometres (three miles) from the stricken Fukushima nuclear power plant in the town of Okuma. Image copyright: Richard A. Brooks/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The release of treated wastewater is essential for the nuclear plant's decommissioning process and ensures compliance with international safety standards. The water is heavily diluted with seawater to reduce radioactivity well below international standards, making its environmental impact negligible. The IAEA's monitoring data confirms the safety of this approach.
Narrative B
The discharge of nuclear-contaminated water poses significant risks to marine ecosystems and coastal communities. Despite treatment processes, the water still contains radioactive substances that could accumulate in the food chain and potentially harm human health. The long-term environmental impact remains uncertain.