As previously reported, Japan was considering the discharge of Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) treated water into the sea at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. After an IAEA Review of Safety Related Aspects (4 July 2023) found the proposed approach and activities as consistent with relevant international safety standards, on 22 August 2023 the sixth meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Council concerning the Continuous Implementation of the Basic Policy on Handling of ALPS Treated Water (Japan) decided:
(9）Based on the above, the Government of Japan has decided to initiate the discharge into the sea as indicated in the basic policy, and to request TEPCO to promptly proceed with the preparation work for the start of the discharge into the sea in accordance with Implementation Plan for Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Specified Nuclear Facility (implementation plan) approved by the NRA.
Actions and future measures regarding “Basic Policy on handling of ALPS treated water at the Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings’ Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station” (22 August 2023)
(10）If there is no interference due to weather or sea conditions, the discharge into the sea is expected to start on 24 August [2023].
On 24 August 2023 IAEA experts confirmed that Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) started discharging ALPS treated water stored at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the sea (IAEA Press Release; TEPCO Press Release (2)). The IAEA will remain present on site throughout the release of treated water and shall provide access to live data from Japan on the release. Furthermore, on 22 August 2023 Japan held its 123rd briefing session, with the significant interest of the international community evident in the number and diversity of (32) participating diplomatic missions, while the IAEA and Republic of Korea (ROK) agreed to establish the IAEA-ROK Fukushima Information Mechanism (IKFIM), which “will provide up-to-date information to ROK and facilitate visits by the country’s experts to the Agency’s office at the site. It also includes an arrangement for notifications in case of abnormal events”.
As recognised in the remarks of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General on 24 August 2023, “there continues to be divergent views and responses in the international community and within the Forum Membership on this issue, and I recognise the sovereignty and prerogative of Forum Members to determine their own national positions”. For example, on 13 July 2023, the EU announced it would lift Fukushima restrictions on food imports, adopted in 2011, but highlighting the importance of monitoring of domestic production for radioactivity, including due publicity, “in particular fish, fishery products and seaweed close to the release site of the ALPS treated water” (lifted 3 August 2023, alongside Norway and Iceland). On 15 August 2023 Switzerland and Liechtenstein lifted restrictions. Meanwhile, on 24 August 2023 South Korea noted it will continue to impose import restrictions on seafood and farm products from Japanese prefectures near the power plant and called for transparency throughout the expected 30 years of ALPS treated water discharges. On 24 August 2023, a statement by China continued to voice its strong opposition to the discharge into the sea as violating international law and suspended the import of all aquatic products originating from Japan (General Administration of Customs Announcement No. 103 of 2023).
De Maribus 