Japan's Nuclear Wastewater and Taiwan's Reticence
The Storm Media Editorial, August 25, 2023
Starting this week, Japan will begin releasing up to 1.3 million tons of nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean. Criticized by neighboring countries, this is not only a scientific issue but also a political matter. Officially, Taiwan has maintained its typical “silence” on the matter, apparently prioritizing the importance of Taiwan-Japan friendship over the risks posed by discharging nuclear wastewater into the sea.
The source of this "nuclear wastewater" dates back to the Fukushima incident in 2011 when a nuclear accident occurred, resulting in contaminated water used for cooling the molten fuel rods inside the reactor. This contaminated water was then processed through purification systems to remove most of the radioactive substances, except for tritium, which constituted the batch of so-called "nuclear wastewater" we have today. According to Japan's official statements, after dilution and treatment, the concentration of radioactive isotope "tritium" in the wastewater is well below the standard limits, and therefore, it poses no safety risk and will not cause ocean pollution. Some official defenders even go so far as to claim that this nuclear wastewater is "safe to drink or swim in."
This is the standard Japanese official narrative. But beyond Japan’s official stance, few people accept or believe these explanations. Nearly all neighboring Asian countries are against it, with reactions ranging from strong condemnation of Japan's "selfishness" to more subtle expressions of concern. Among the general public, there is almost unanimous opposition. In South Korea, for example, polls show that 70-80% of the population is against it, and even within Japan, around half of the population opposes the decision. Experts and scientists, however, are divided on the issue.
Perhaps the data cited by the officials are accurate, and the diluted wastewater does indeed fall well below the standard limits for radioactive isotopes. However, the real issue lies in the risk. This is potentially the first large-scale discharge of nuclear wastewater in human history, and it is unprecedented in terms of both the level of radiation and the volume of water. No scientist has studied or fully understood the impact and consequences, given the absence of precedence.
Discharging such a vast amount of nuclear wastewater into the ocean, even if done gradually over several years, raises many questions about its impact on marine ecosystems, flora, and fauna. The ocean is a crucial source of food for humans, and how this "food chain" might transmit effects to the end consumers and potentially affect food safety and human health is a significant concern. Criticizing Japan for "putting its neighbors at risk" is not without reason.
Judging by common sense, Japan's decision to release nuclear wastewater into the ocean is unsettling, even if we assume that the water is as safe as its government claims. If this water is genuinely safe for consumption or recreational use, Japan could simply utilize it for these purposes directly without causing international backlash and drawing condemnation from neighboring countries and environmental groups. So why insist on discharging this wastewater into the ocean? Japan uses a 1-kilometer pipeline to release the wastewater to a distant location, giving the impression of trying to dispose of "dirty stuff" far away in the ocean. It is difficult for the general public to have confidence in just how clean this water really is.
Japan's decision to release nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean is not just a scientific issue full of unknowns; it's also an intensely pragmatic political one. The countries most directly affected are China and South Korea. Since the proposal was first made several years ago, China has consistently condemned Japan's actions, calling them "extremely selfish and irresponsible" and accusing Japan of disregarding the common interests of the international community. The South Korean government expressed "deep regret" and vowed to convey its citizens’ opposition to Japan's decision. South Korea also strongly voiced its opposition stance to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Once the actual discharge phase began, however, the South Korean government suddenly went quiet.
And all of this can hardly escape the suspicion of political considerations. China, of course, will not be polite to Japan. Apart from the long-standing historical grievances between the two sides, Japan's recent alignment with the United States to contain China adds to the animosity. Japan, disregarding concerns and opposition from neighboring countries and showing a lack of concern for marine ecology, is proceeding with the release of a large amount of nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean. Naturally, this act is bound to be condemned vigorously.
South Korea had a rocky relationship with Japan during the presidency of Moon Jae-in, and Japan even engaged in a minor "trade war" with South Korea. Consequently, the South Korean government had been vocally condemning Japan's plans to release nuclear wastewater. Incumbent President Yoon Suk-yeol, nevertheless, has adjusted the country's strategy, leaning towards the United States and adopting an anti-China, pro-Japan stance. Hence, in the case of Japan's initiation of the nuclear wastewater release, South Korea has fallen silent. A somewhat amusing scene unfolded when faced with criticism from the opposition party that the government did not protest to Japan: South Korean Prime Minister, Han Duck-soo, even expressed his willingness to personally drink the filtered water from the Fukushima nuclear plant, causing some uninformed individuals to believe that it was South Korea releasing the nuclear wastewater.
Clearly All Politics
Taiwan has maintained its silence throughout this process. From Japan's announcement of the intention to release nuclear wastewater into the ocean, to the formal approval of the release plan, and now to the actual implementation of the release. Even when Taiwanese fishermen protested and expressed concerns, Taiwan has consistently remained silent. It not only failed to voice opposition but also refrained from expressing any doubts. Several relevant government agencies, such as the Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan, have simply stated that they will "closely monitor the situation" and have even defended Japan by stating that the diluted wastewater will be further diluted when it reaches Taiwan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs previously stated that they would "continue to express concerns to the Japanese side," and the Ministry of Economic Affairs indicated that the government would "provide opinions based on relevant scientific evidence." Some cyber warriors within the ruling party, particularly the so-called “1450 group,” have simply parroted Japan's official statements and even attempted to "rebrand" the nuclear wastewater by claiming that it is no longer nuclear waste since it has been purified!
The release of nuclear wastewater into the ocean will undoubtedly have an impact on marine ecology, and from the perspective of social psychology, the broader effects are difficult to estimate. Will the public reduce their consumption of seafood at least in the short term because of this? How greatly will fishermen be affected? Taiwan is an island surrounded by the sea, and many fishermen rely on the ocean for their livelihoods. Marine pollution and ecological changes will definitely affect Taiwan. Releasing a massive amount of nuclear wastewater into the sea increases risks for Taiwan. However, the government seems to be prioritizing the "unprecedentedly friendly" Taiwan-Japan relationship over the interests of fishermen and food safety, not to mention marine ecology.
For a government that claims it prioritizes food safety above all else, Taiwan’s consistent silence on Japan's release of nuclear wastewater is both irresponsible and shameful.