China Joins Fukushima Water Sample Analysis

In a historic first, China has joined the analysis of treated radioactive water discharged from Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

On Friday, the IAEA collected liquid samples from storage tanks at the crippled Fukushima plant, with Chinese, South Korean, Swiss, and French experts participating alongside IAEA officials.

The move is part of efforts to ease tensions with Beijing and facilitate the resumption of Japanese seafood exports to China, according to Japanese government officials.

The Fukushima plant suffered core meltdowns following the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

In August 2023, its operator began releasing treated radioactive water into the ocean, sparking a strong diplomatic backlash from China.

Japan and China have now agreed on Beijing’s involvement in the sample collection and analysis, marking a step toward greater transparency and potential resolution of trade disputes related to seafood imports.