Nabil Luqman

0f9d2dd4f71434084e2b6094de1865e23abb37bb9f28ca51feeabee679ec9be2

Social

China

Japan

Protest

Pacific Ocean

Fukushima

Nuclear

Wastewater

Dumping

Food Safety

Seafood

Imports

A dozen years have passed since the devastating Tōhoku earthquake struck the northeastern coast of Japan, etching itself as one of the most catastrophic seismic events in history. This seismic upheaval, coupled with the ensuing tsunami, claimed the lives of over 20,000 individuals and, to this day, leaves 2,523 souls still unaccounted for.
As the tsunami's relentless force met the shores, its towering 15-meter wave crippled power supplies and cooling mechanisms at the Fukushima plant, culminating in a dire outcome &ndash; a complete meltdown of three of their Daiichi reactors.
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/54c07647b1a6172b2d1b8f6383817eb1c66eaef2266d9391bba21ce00b1e3a08" />
Fast forwarding to the present time, Japan has officially announced its decision to release treated radioactive wastewater from the plant, a move that has triggered both alarm and ire from numerous activists and countries, most notably China.
According to the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the discharge commenced at 1 pm on August 24th (Thursday). Their strategic plan involves allowing approximately 456 cubic meters of treated wastewater to flow into the Pacific Ocean within a 24-hour timeframe, marking the initial phase of a 17-day period during which a total of 7,800 cubic meters is projected to be released.
A brief historical perspective reveals that following the devastation caused by the tsunami, Japan has been engaged in the process of injecting fresh water into the reactor's fuel debris for cooling purposes. However, the inadvertent intrusion of ground and rainwater into the reactor has resulted in additional wastewater accumulation, compounding the challenge.
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/8302d5989272c68ad51daa4dc51ca5defe521410aa78c6bb0f7d380308573e09" />
Back in 2019, Japanese authorities sounded a warning bell for the plant, signalling that the available storage space for the water was rapidly dwindling. It was a stark reality check &ndash; there were no alternatives left but to embark on the journey of releasing the wastewater. This was to be done in a meticulously treated and diluted manner, eventually culminating in today's significant water discharge.
Activist &amp; China Slams The &ldquo;Irresponsible &amp; Selfish Act&rdquo;
As the dumping has already begun, many protestors have started rallying up as they were against the act of dumping treated nuclear waste into the Pacific Ocean. In South Korea, police have arrested at least 1t6 people who attempted to enter the building housing of the Japanese embassy in Seoul during the protest.
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/5e6db487a934884acc375ca685d94107861b89936a533f8d511a6fcc38fdfc99" />
The group mainly consisted of young people who managed to make their way up to the 8th floor of the building and hung banners reading &ldquo;The sea is not Japan&rsquo;s trash bin. Stop releasing contaminated water at once&rdquo;.
Meanwhile, China has responded vigorously to Japan's decision to release the wastewater. In an official statement by its Foreign Affairs Minister, China expressed that they perceive this action as an attempt to "pass on the risk to the whole world and extend the pain to future generations of humankind". As a consequence, China has announced a comprehensive ban on all seafood imports from Japan, further intensifying the strained relationship between the two countries.
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/42294967170d67913b898a382dc8bbca727d6b2fb8e8b0d1630a098d144a9e1e" />
China strongly condemns the operation as "selfish and irresponsible," asserting that it will suspend imports of all aquatic products originating from Japan. This embargo has the potential to extend its reach beyond seafood, affecting commodities like sea salt and seaweed. China is determined to mitigate any risk of radioactive contamination in its food supply chain, prioritizing the health and well-being of its consumers.
The prohibition on importing aquatic and seafood products from Japan could pose challenges for Japan's fishing industry, as China stands as one of its primary seafood export markets. While the decision sparked controversy and encountered opposition, it's worth noting that nations such as the US and Taiwan have voiced their support for Japan's assertion that the released quantity would have a "minimal impact."
Will Malaysia&rsquo;s Seafood Be Affected By This?
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/d6ec6f2c0f53f931884fa70be61efbb5e9e9c2bff0c0e9f85f542e44ef5a1566" />
&nbsp;
Malaysia is currently closely monitoring the safety of seafood imports and Dr. Kelvin Yii who is a special advisor to the health minister has reassured that marine fish in Malaysia are not imported from Japan. He assured the relevant authorities including the Malaysian Quarantine Inspection Services Department and the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority that all non-live fishery products would be monitored for food safety ensuring they don&rsquo;t have contaminants of radiation.
Though it is irresponsible for Japan to do such thing, there has to be a clear reasoning and safety standard that must have gone through to ensure that the water being dumped out of the ocean will be safe. 
What are your thoughts on Japan&rsquo;s decision to dump treated nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean? Let us know in the comments.
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*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Social Media, CNN, Straits Times &amp; various cross-references for context.
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So far, we’ll be safe but authorities will be monitoring our non-live products to ensure food safety.

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Fukushima Water Release Triggers Outcry – Is Malaysian Seafood At Risk?

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Oatside

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Rohto

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Fukushima Water Release Triggers Outcry – Is Malaysian Seafood At Risk?

So far, we’ll be safe but authorities will be monitoring our non-live products to ensure food safety.

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