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IAEA chief says will closely monitor Japan wastewater developments
Updated 21:25, 14-Apr-2021
CGTN
The logo of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is seen outside the IAEA headquarters, amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Vienna, Austria, March 1, 2021. /Reuters

The logo of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is seen outside the IAEA headquarters, amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Vienna, Austria, March 1, 2021. /Reuters

The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi on Wednesday told a joint Chinese media interview that the agency will closely monitor developments on Japan's plan to dump radioactive wastewater from the nuclear disaster in Fukushima. 

Grossi said the IAEA will take random samples from seawater and fish products for study and will actively promote the agency's work in evaluation and supervision on the matter in an objective, fair and scientific approach.

The Japanese government on Tuesday announced the decision to discharge contaminated radioactive wastewater into the ocean amid domestic and international opposition.

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant has been generating massive amount of radiation-tainted water since the accident triggered by the massive 2011 earthquake and tsunami as it needs water to cool the reactors.

The plant's operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. said it will take around two years for the release to start.

Read more:

Key facts to know about Japan's nuclear wastewater dump

Fukushima: Contaminated water release sparks alarm

On Tuesday, Grossi welcomed Japan's announcement that it has decided how to dispose of treated water and he said the IAEA stands ready to provide technical support in monitoring and reviewing the plan's safe and transparent implementation.

Grossi also said Japan's chosen water disposal method is both technically feasible and in line with international practice.

But countries like China, Russia and South Korea, have voiced concerns and Seoul said it's considering referring Japan to an international tribunal for the decision to release nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean.

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