Japan's ocean discharge plan hurts both others and self

Japan has started releasing the third batch of nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean since it launched the discharge on August 24. The ocean discharge scheme is reportedly to last at least 30 years, dumping over millions of tons of tainted water into the sea. Such a huge amount of tainted water, like a monster, is invading the global oceans and threatening human health. Simply to save costs, Japan insisted on the ocean discharge scheme despite international concerns and opposition, ignoring the long-term harm to human health, the ecological environment and future generations.

A major reason that Japan can carry out its scheme successfully is that the U.S. has its back. Moreover, the country also regards the report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the disposal of nuclear-contaminated water as a "greenlight" for its ocean dumping plan, despite opposition from home and neighboring countries, and makes the world pay a heavy price.

Although Japan has chosen the cheapest way to deal with the tainted water, it has spent a dozen times the budget on public relations to "fight" against global opposition. By being so selfish and reckless and polluting the marine environment, Japan has already contaminated its own national reputation.

The country has also been bitten back by its own behavior: Japanese seafood exports are experiencing a dramatic decline; fishery, tourism and other industries are also affected heavily. Being so selfish, Japan is hurting others without any benefit for itself.

During the past years since the Fukushima nuclear accident, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO)'s handling of the aftermath has been highly problematic. It has delayed reporting and covered up accidents, tampered with important data, and prioritized business interests despite environmental concerns over people's health and safety. A recent incident where radioactive waste water was splashed onto workers at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant has again exposed ingrained problems at TEPCO. How then can a company that has fallen into such disrepute reassure people about Japan's self-claimed "safe and transparent" ocean discharge scheme?

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