Current location:politics >>
Propaganda won't eliminate harms of Japan's nuke wastewater discharge plan
politics299People have gathered around
IntroductionBy Zhong Sheng (People's Daily) 16:16, August 12, 2023The legitimacy, legality and safety of Japan's ...
The legitimacy, legality and safety of Japan's plan to dump nuclear-contaminated water into the sea have been constantly questioned globally. Protests in Japan and its neighboring countries are emerging one after another, and opposing voices from the rest of the international community have never ceased.
The Japanese side should have seriously responded to international concerns and made every effort to deal with the nuclear-contaminated water in a science-based, safe and transparent manner.
However, it is only whitewashing the issue and attempting to create the false impression that discharging nuclear-contaminated water into the sea is safe and harmless through aggressively launching public relations campaigns domestically and abroad.
This only exposes its disregard for the global marine environment and public health, and the country's selfishness.
Japan's push for the discharge plan has been accompanied by meticulous public relations maneuvers from the very beginning.
Japan's Reconstruction Agency, established in 2012 to advance reconstruction in disaster-hit areas, allocates special public relations budgets every year to convince people that the impacts from the Fukushima nuclear accident have been eliminated.
On April 13, 2021, the same day when the Japanese government unilaterally decided to discharge nuclear-contaminated water into the sea, the Reconstruction Agency published propaganda posters and videos on its website, attempting to gain favor by packaging radioactive elements that cannot be removed from the nuclear contaminated water as mascots.
This move drew severe dissatisfaction domestically and internationally. Fukushima residents angrily pointed out that this propaganda was completely disconnected from the stark reality facing Fukushima. As a result, the Reconstruction Agency eventually had to withdraw the related merchandise.
Over the past two years, instead of learning lessons, Japan has continued its propaganda campaigns to convince the public of the so-called safety of the nuclear-contaminated water. Many Japanese newspapers, TV stations and other media outlets have advertised for the so-called safety of the contaminated water, drowning out public concerns and opposition.
The Japanese government frequently refers to the water treated by the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) but still containing high levels of radioactive nuclides as "processed water," in an attempt to downplay its hazardous nature and potential risks.
The Japanese government has also set up an 80-billion-yen ($556.22 million) fund to "compensate" fishing businesses in areas affected by the discharge, trying to pacify opposition with so-called "compensation fees." This is further evidence of Japan's attempts to cover up the dangers of dumping the contaminated water into the ocean.
Japan has also stepped up public relations efforts targeting specific countries, international organizations and groups, attempting to gain endorsement for its discharge plan.
At a G7 climate, energy and environment ministerial meeting held this April, Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Koichi Hagiuda claimed that steady progress on decommissioning Fukushima, including discharging the contaminated water, would be welcomed.
Steffi Lemke, Germany's Minister for the environment, nature conservation, nuclear safety and consumer protection immediately rebutted that Germany could not welcome the release of the treated water.
Japan has also attempted to find excuses to justify the discharge plan on occasions like the NATO Summit, the ASEAN-plus ministerials, the Eastern Caribbean Ministerial Meeting on Fisheries and Sustainable Use of Living Marine Resources and so on.
Whether domestically or internationally, Japan's efforts have been used in the wrong place. Concerned parties strongly oppose Japan's plan to discharge the contaminated water into the ocean, and demand that Japan halt the plan, engage in sincere communication with all stakeholders including neighboring countries, responsibly dispose of the water, and accept strict international supervision.
But so far, Japan has only stubbornly pushed forward with the ocean discharge plan without thoroughly examining other options or seriously addressing international concerns, which disappoints the global community with its selfishness.
Japan's public relations maneuvers cannot eliminate domestic and international concerns about dumping the nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean.
Japanese fishermen have repeatedly voiced their opposition recently. South Korean opposition parties have also sent letters expressing concerns and objections of the South Korean public. Protests have been staged in front of Japanese embassies and consulates in the Philippines, New York, Sydney and elsewhere, demanding Japan to halt the discharge plan.
People did so because they know the plan, once implemented, would impose unpredictable nuclear contamination risks on the international community.
Dumping nuclear-contaminated water into the oceans is a reckless gamble that endangers humanity. Japan should face international concerns, fulfill its moral responsibilities and obligations under international law, and find an appropriate solution for the contaminated water.
The country must not unilaterally initiate the ocean discharge before addressing the international community's concerns over the legitimacy of the discharge plan, the reliability of data, the efficacy of the treatment system and the uncertainty of environmental impact.
(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People's Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Planet Profile news portal”。http://gibraltar.cezaryphotography.com/content-99c599860.html
Previous:Here comes the char
Next:Here comes the char
Related articles
Justin Timberlake set to bring his The Forget Tomorrow World Tour to Australia in 2025
politicsJustin Timberlake is set to bring his The Forget Tomorrow World Tour to Australia next year.Daily Ma ...
【politics】
Read moreShanghai to Athens airline route set to launch in April
politicsDirect flights between Shanghai and Athens, of Greece will be launched by Shanghai-based airliner Ju ...
【politics】
Read moreChina endeavors to build characteristic towns
politicsPhoto shows the Tang West Market Culture and Tourism Town. Photo courtesy of Shaanxi Daily Character ...
【politics】
Read more
Popular articles
- Not so Cool Britannia! Noel Gallagher gives damning verdict on Keir Starmer
- Micron Tech cements bond with China
- 3 U.S. big tech giants face EU inquiry
- Check out these water
- What's next for Iran after death of its president in crash?
- Apple CEO highlights Chinese supplier's contribution to carbon emission reduction
Latest articles
Uber and Lyft say they'll stay in Minnesota after Legislature passes driver pay compromise
China has 1.27 million registered drones in 2023
Xinhe County in Hebei promotes handmade dried noodles to raise income
Palestinian girls practice Chinese martial arts in West Bank
Georgia Republicans choose Amy Kremer, organizer of pro
Beijing looks to boost green technology development
LINKS
- 10 indicted on charges of theft from Tuskegee University
- Nashville SC fires coach Gary Smith after 3
- Police dismantle pro
- University of California official says system has $32 billion in holdings targeted by protesters
- Belgian soccer pauses ticket sales for Israel game amid security fears
- F1 design great Newey expects to join another team after leaving Red Bull next year
- Germany's parliament lifts immunity for prosecution of a far
- Nashville SC fires coach Gary Smith after 3
- Police dismantle pro
- Skins star Megan Prescott plans to strip off for OnlyFans snaps to fund her one