IAEA to work with Japan on wastewater disposal

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency has offered to cooperate with Japan on the disposal of diluted contaminated wastewater accumulating at the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi spoke in an exclusive interview with NHK at the agency's headquarters in Vienna on Wednesday.

A Japanese government subcommittee has compiled a report suggesting the practical way to dispose of water that contains tritium and other radioactive substances is to discharge it into the sea or the air after diluting it to acceptable levels.

The government has yet to decide what method to adopt, but the local fishery industry has voiced concerns about rumors having a negative impact on business. Japan's neighbor South Korea is also concerned.

Grossi said knowing these difficult circumstances, including the concern expressed by the local population and neighboring countries, it is important to have the presence of the IAEA.

He said the IAEA is awaiting a decision by the Japanese government, and when that happens the agency will be able to cooperate with Japan.

Without going into detail, Grossi said that the IAEA is discussing with its Japanese counterparts a proposal to set up joint teams to monitor the discharged water.

Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210225_09/