On Tuesday, Hong Kong's leader warned that it will ban marine products from “a large number of prefectures” if Japan discharges treated radioactive wastewater into the sea.
Chief Executive John Lee said in a press briefing that his government would be on the side of caution, as the planned release of wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean is an unprecedented exercise.
“The action we will take, if the exercise really starts, is that we will be banning a large number (of) prefectures' sea products,” he noted. But he did not name which prefectures and what products will be affected.
On Monday, the operator of the wrecked nuclear plant began testing equipment constructed for discharging the wastewater.
Last week, the United Nations nuclear agency endorsed the plan, saying it meets international standards and the environmental and health impact would be negligible.
However, the plan has faced fierce protests from local fishing communities concerned about safety and reputational damage. Neighboring countries, including South Korea, China, and Pacific Island nations, have also raised safety concerns.
Lee pointed out on Tuesday that the Hong Kong government will formulate policies in response to Japan's plans, and they will be announced when ready.
A massive earthquake and tsunami in March 2011 destroyed the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant’s cooling systems, causing three reactors to melt and release large amounts of radiation.
The tanks storing the water used since the accident to cool the reactor cores will reach their capacity in early 2024.
In 2021, Japan’s government announced plans to gradually release the treated — but still slightly radioactive — water following its dilution to what it says are safe levels. Japanese officials say the water, currently stored in about a thousand tanks at the plant, needs to be removed to prevent accidental leaks in case of an earthquake and to make room for the plant’s decommissioning.
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