Storage tanks for nuclear-contaminated water at the Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. /CFP
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Friday welcomed the agreement between China and Japan regarding the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the ocean, commending China for its "constructive approach" in achieving this progress.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said China has played a "decisive role" in the latest positive developments.
The Japanese government unilaterally began the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the ocean on August 24, 2023.
China, as one of the key stakeholders, is firmly opposed to this move and has urged Japan to seriously address concerns both domestically and internationally. China has called on Japan to fulfill its obligations, cooperate fully in the establishment of an independent and effective long-term international monitoring arrangement, and ensure that stakeholders can participate meaningfully.
The competent authorities of China and Japan recently conducted multiple rounds of consultations on the issue, it was announced earlier on Friday.
The agreement between the two countries includes Japan's commitment to the establishment of a long-term international monitoring arrangement within the IAEA framework. This arrangement will cover key stages in the discharge process, with provisions for China and other stakeholders to participate substantively. Participating countries will also be able to conduct independent sampling, monitoring and inter-laboratory comparisons.
In a statement released the same day, Grossi said the IAEA will coordinate with Japan and other stakeholders, including China, to ensure the proper implementation of additional measures. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the process through full transparency.
The IAEA chief also said the agency will act as a "bridge" to facilitate the implementation of the China-Japan agreement, and praised China's "impressive" progress in developing nuclear energy and technologies.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's accession to the IAEA. Highlighting the "very important" relationship and deep cooperation between the IAEA and China, Grossi said he looks forward to even closer collaboration in the future.
Read more: Japan agrees to China's independent monitoring of Fukushima wastewater