(UnitedHeadlines.com) – Japan began releasing nuclear waste into the Pacific Ocean to decommission a failed nuclear power plant, prompting China to ban all seafood imports from its island neighbor. China is among the countries that didn’t approve of Japan’s nuclear waste disposal plan and refused to import seafood due to fears of a radiological impact. ‘
China isn’t the only nation that objected to Japan’s waste dumping policy but remains the most vocal. Japan’s waste-dumping plan is part of a 30-year plan to finally decommission the failed Fukushima power plant, which suffered a severe meltdown following an earthquake and the subsequent tsunami in March 2011. The disaster luckily yielded few casualties, yet remains the worst nuclear incident since the infamous 1986 Chernobyl disaster in the Soviet Union.
China is one of Japan’s largest importers of seafood, so the ban on Japanese seafood may severely limit Japan’s economic growth. Despite China’s protestations, Japan’s nuclear waste plan received support from many nations, including the International Atomic Energy Agency, which stated the release of nuclear-contaminated water would have a “negligible” impact on the ocean and surrounding region.
Japan’s waste disposal plan initially drew heavy criticism due to international fears regarding a nuclear-contaminated region. Such fears are unfounded, as multiple environmental agencies and international committees, like the aforementioned International Atomic Energy Agency, confirmed that the plan would have a minimal impact on Japan and its neighboring countries.
Despite the likelihood of severe consequences being incredibly slim, China refuses to import seafood from Japan as a precautionary measure. China’s decision comes during a growing tension between China and its islander neighbors and might be related to international tension rather than environmental fears. China remains one of the largest polluters on the planet.
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida supports the release of water from the Fukushima power plant and is unlikely to prevent further disposal, regardless of China’s objections. Kishida also pushed for an arms buildup and military development within Japan due to international tensions between Japan, China, and North Korea. The release of nuclear waste will likely further deteriorate relations between the 3 nations, but such an outcome isn’t inevitable yet.
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