Ambassador lodges firm protest against Fukushima discharge

Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao lodged a strong protest on Thursday with Masataka Okano, Japan's vice-minister for foreign affairs, regarding Japan's discharge of nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean.

Disregarding strong opposition from both domestic and international sources, Japan officially initiated the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on Thursday, shifting nuclear contamination risk to neighboring countries and the international community, Wu said, adding the nation is prioritizing its interests above the long-term well-being of the people in the region and around the world.

Japan has forcefully proceeded with the discharge without fully demonstrating long-term safety and reliability, obtaining broad understanding from relevant stakeholders or establishing a comprehensive international supervision and accountability mechanism. This approach carries significant risks and unpredictable harm, he said.

China strongly urges Japan to halt the discharge, responsibly communicate with neighboring countries, accept strict international supervision and effectively manage nuclear-contaminated water through scientific, safe and transparent methods. If Japan persists in its actions, he said, it will bear long-term moral and legal responsibilities.

He emphasized the Chinese government's decision to comprehensively suspend imports of aquatic products from Japan is both reasonable and necessary. The responsibility for this situation lies entirely with Japan, and Japan should reflect on its own actions, he said.