Nuclear waste disposal must be a topic of discussion at PALM10: NGO

Wednesday, 17 July 2024, 3:00 pm

Co-Coordinator Pacific Network on Globalisation, Joey Tau (Picture supplied)

A regional Pacific Non-Governmental Organization has raised concerns about the Pacific Island Leaders Meeting [PALM10] in Japan, which ends on Thursday.

This regional meeting will see Pacific Nations and Japanese Leaders talk about strengthening economic, diplomatic ties and furthering their bilateral relationships.

However, the issue of Japan's Fukushima nuclear waste disposal in the Pacific ocean remains a sticky point.

Co-Coordinator Pacific Network on Globalisation, Joey Tau told NBC Online, Japan through its Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Limited, has released seven rounds of nuclear waste water into the Pacific ocean, beginning last year between July and August.

There are plans to release another five rounds this year, with two done already:

“We call on our leaders, including Prime Minister Marape, to ensure that Japan does not silence the concerns of Pacific people, but one that calls for broader discussions between Japan and our Pacific leaders,” Mr Tau said.  

“Since the proposal by Japan and its dumping in, there were concerns around transparency, the availability of accurate data, rather, and we hope that this is not another opportunity for TEPCO.

We hope that talks between the Pacific and Japan are fruitful, that Japan respects the concern of Pacific peoples.”

On behalf of other civil society organizations and Pacific people, Mr. Tau called on Prime Minister James Marape and other Pacific Island leaders to ensure, Japan does not silence the calls-of-the-people and hold off any further releases of the nuclear waste water.

He further urges for the suspension of Japan as a forum dialogue partner and that it adheres to the concerns of the Pacific leaders and people.

He stressed the need for Japan and Pacific nations to consider other scientific alternatives like, stockpiling the waste on land.

“The expert panel put together by the PIF Secretariat had suggested scientific alternatives for Japan to hold off and look at land stockpiling,” Mr Tau said.

“There are alternatives to what Japan currently has. As civil society we stand firm on the scientific alternative options that the expert panel had provided and we hope our leaders will continue to ensure that Prime Minister Kishida does not ignore the concerns of Pacific peoples.”

The Oceans campaigner reminded leaders that, the Pacific is a nuclear-free zone and the ongoing release of nuclear waste not only threatens survival but bio-diversity and life of the ocean that the Pacific people heavily depend on.

It is anticipated that about 1.28 million tonnes of radioactive waste will be dumped into the Pacific Ocean with about 31,200 tonnes of waste released since August 2023 and a further 54,600 tonnes, this year.