The Facts
The UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday announced it had approved Japan's plan to release treated water from the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.
The IAEA chief Rafael Grossi, who visited Fukushima on Tuesday, submitted the UN's safety review to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, concluding that the water release as currently planned would have a "negligible radiological impact on people and the environment."
The Spin
Narrative A
The Japanese government's decision to contaminate the ocean with large volumes of radioactive tritium-laden water damages the reputation of Fukushima's agricultural and fishing produce. In addition, by turning its back on the clear evidence that the "treated water" still contains harmful radionuclides, Japan has deliberately put marine and human life at risk of radiation exposure.
Narrative B
The ocean release of Fukushima water is the most realistic and safe option available to improve the environment surrounding Fukushima's nuclear plant. The Japanese government is doing its utmost to ensure people's safety, including diluting the treated water with seawater to bring the tritium concentration well below internationally approved levels.
Narrative C
While it may be a common practice among nuclear plants worldwide to routinely and safely release treated wastewater containing low levels of tritium, continuing with the massive discharge plan at Fukushima at a time when the burgeoning climate crisis and growing scale of natural disasters pose significant challenges to the world would be premature.
