Topic
TOPIC
The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster was a series of equipment failures, nuclear meltdowns and releases of radioactive materials at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in northeastern Japan, following a devastating earthquake and tsunami on 11 March 2011 which claimed nearly 19,000 lives. It is the largest nuclear disaster since Chernobyl in 1986 and only the second disaster to measure Level 7 on the International Nuclear Event Scale.
- The new prime minister has committed to restarting reactors mothballed since the 2011 meltdown, but public opposition and his own upbringing in Hiroshima may test his resolve
- Amid a global power crunch, the business lobby and several of Kishida’s ministers argue that nuclear is the only way to secure Japan’s power supplies and meet its carbon targets. A fully green alternative could be 30 years away
Nuclear energy has been contentious in Japan, especially since a 2011 earthquake off the coast triggered a tsunami that smashed into a Fukushima nuclear power plant.
Nuclear energy has been contentious in Japan, especially since a 2011 earthquake off the coast triggered a tsunami that smashed into a Fukushima nuclear power plant.
A decade after the disaster triggered by an earthquake and tsunami, the International Atomic Energy Agency says too little is known about the damage.
A decade after the disaster triggered by an earthquake and tsunami, the International Atomic Energy Agency says too little is known about the damage.
Anti-Japanese grievances concerning territorial disputes, war crimes, and even produce from Fukushima – hit by a nuclear accident in 2011 – have been aired by South Korea and China during the Olympics.
Anti-Japanese grievances concerning territorial disputes, war crimes, and even produce from Fukushima – hit by a nuclear accident in 2011 – have been aired by South Korea and China during the Olympics.
Observers say the country’s strategic direction has shifted and China-friendly voices in Tokyo have been muted.
Observers say the country’s strategic direction has shifted and China-friendly voices in Tokyo have been muted.
A bottled water company in China was slammed online for an advertisement claiming it used peaches from Fukushima.
A bottled water company in China was slammed online for an advertisement claiming it used peaches from Fukushima.
Japanese government says all products will pass stringent checks before being allowed to leave country, as it looks to ease regional concerns over impact of releasing treated radioactive water into sea.
Japanese government says all products will pass stringent checks before being allowed to leave country, as it looks to ease regional concerns over impact of releasing treated radioactive water into sea.
The 6.8 magnitude earthquake was felt in Tokyo and caused power outages and transport disruptions, with officials warning of aftershocks.
The 6.8 magnitude earthquake was felt in Tokyo and caused power outages and transport disruptions, with officials warning of aftershocks.
Zhao pins ‘Great Wave’ post to the top of his feed after protests from Tokyo asking for it to be removed.
Zhao pins ‘Great Wave’ post to the top of his feed after protests from Tokyo asking for it to be removed.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian used the image, altered to show workers in hazmat suits dumping radioactive material, to take aim at Japan’s decision to release treated water at the crippled power plant.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian used the image, altered to show workers in hazmat suits dumping radioactive material, to take aim at Japan’s decision to release treated water at the crippled power plant.
Among the available options, discharging treated radioactive water into the ocean seems the most reasonable. Japan’s decision should not be judged in haste.
Among the available options, discharging treated radioactive water into the ocean seems the most reasonable. Japan’s decision should not be judged in haste.
Analysts believe South Korea, Russia and Taiwan are more concerned about sacrificing bilateral ties with Japan – but China is still seething.
Analysts believe South Korea, Russia and Taiwan are more concerned about sacrificing bilateral ties with Japan – but China is still seething.
South Korean fishermen have staged protests against Japan's decision to release treated and diluted radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea. On April 19, 2021, rallies were held by fishermen in two coastal cities in South Korean coastal cities. In Yeosu, a fleet of more than 150 fishing boats sailed around islands near the city. Japan said there will be no negative impact on human health or the environment from the release of the water, which was used to cool the damaged reactor over the 10 years since a massive earthquake and tsunami triggered a triple meltdown at the plant. But Tokyo’s decision has also drawn protests from local fishermen and raised concerns from neighbouring areas in Japan. Plans call for the water discharge to start in about two years.
South Korean fishermen have staged protests against Japan's decision to release treated and diluted radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea. On April 19, 2021, rallies were held by fishermen in two coastal cities in South Korean coastal cities. In Yeosu, a fleet of more than 150 fishing boats sailed around islands near the city. Japan said there will be no negative impact on human health or the environment from the release of the water, which was used to cool the damaged reactor over the 10 years since a massive earthquake and tsunami triggered a triple meltdown at the plant. But Tokyo’s decision has also drawn protests from local fishermen and raised concerns from neighbouring areas in Japan. Plans call for the water discharge to start in about two years.
The nuclear industry’s history of secrecy and cover-ups is only one reason. Tepco’s incompetent and at times dishonest handling of the 2011 disaster and its aftermath has shattered what’s left of people’s trust.
The nuclear industry’s history of secrecy and cover-ups is only one reason. Tepco’s incompetent and at times dishonest handling of the 2011 disaster and its aftermath has shattered what’s left of people’s trust.
The US thanked Japan for its transparency in its planned release of treated water from the crippled nuclear power plant, but its neighbours have condemned the move.
The US thanked Japan for its transparency in its planned release of treated water from the crippled nuclear power plant, but its neighbours have condemned the move.
Japan’s massive disposal of treated radioactive water could contaminate Hong Kong’s seawater. Our fisheries and aquaculture sector must revise its regulations with new standards for the measurement of radioactive particles. With seawater being used for flushing, additional measures may be needed to guarantee water safety.
Japan’s massive disposal of treated radioactive water could contaminate Hong Kong’s seawater. Our fisheries and aquaculture sector must revise its regulations with new standards for the measurement of radioactive particles. With seawater being used for flushing, additional measures may be needed to guarantee water safety.
Tokyo must ‘publish monitoring data so we can see the treatment ability in the first and second processes’, Greenpeace researcher says.
Tokyo must ‘publish monitoring data so we can see the treatment ability in the first and second processes’, Greenpeace researcher says.
US climate envoy John Kerry said Tokyo had made its decision to dump the radioactive water in a transparent manner and following international procedures.
US climate envoy John Kerry said Tokyo had made its decision to dump the radioactive water in a transparent manner and following international procedures.
Tokyo’s decision to release more than 1 million cubic metres of radioactive water into the Pacific generates criticism of Taipei for not doing more to stop it.
Tokyo’s decision to release more than 1 million cubic metres of radioactive water into the Pacific generates criticism of Taipei for not doing more to stop it.
Assistant foreign minister Wu Jianghao lodges ‘solemn representations’ with ambassador Hideo Tarumi, accuses Japan of ‘suspected violation of international law’.
Assistant foreign minister Wu Jianghao lodges ‘solemn representations’ with ambassador Hideo Tarumi, accuses Japan of ‘suspected violation of international law’.
Politicians urge the Hong Kong government to be proactive in preventing a possible environmental and food crisis from spilling over to the city.
Politicians urge the Hong Kong government to be proactive in preventing a possible environmental and food crisis from spilling over to the city.
Other options included dumping the water into concrete pits or evaporating and releasing it, ideas critics say were not genuinely considered.
Other options included dumping the water into concrete pits or evaporating and releasing it, ideas critics say were not genuinely considered.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in on April 13, 2021, ordered officials to explore petitioning an international court over Japan’s Fukushima water waste decision. The move came a day after Tokyo unveiled plans to release treated radioactive water from its wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, prompting objections from its neighbours.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in on April 13, 2021, ordered officials to explore petitioning an international court over Japan’s Fukushima water waste decision. The move came a day after Tokyo unveiled plans to release treated radioactive water from its wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, prompting objections from its neighbours.
The decision to release waste water from the nuclear plant that was hit by a devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011 has triggered a backlash from neighbouring countries.
The decision to release waste water from the nuclear plant that was hit by a devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011 has triggered a backlash from neighbouring countries.