An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team conducted an ocean survey off Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, following the discharge of treated water from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. The team caught fish, including horse mackerel and sea bream, which were then taken to a fishing port in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture for testing. The IAEA will compare and evaluate the results alongside analysis organizations in Japan and third-party countries such as China to measure the concentrations of radioactive materials. Similar surveys were conducted last year by the IAEA and third-party countries to examine marine products off Fukushima Prefecture.
The Chinese government recently announced that it will resume imports of Japanese fishery products if the IAEA expands its monitoring scope and confirms their safety. However, it remains uncertain when China will lift its import ban imposed last year due to concerns over treated water released into the Pacific from Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.’s nuclear plant.
A Fisheries Agency official expressed hope that people would recognize Japanese fishery products as safe and consume them without worry. They also emphasized the importance of foreign understanding regarding appropriate monitoring measures.
The minced samples of six types of fish collected during this survey will be sent to designated analysis organizations in third-party countries such as South Korea and Switzerland for further examination by the IAEA research bodies.
this ongoing investigation aims to enhance reliability through comprehensive testing procedures carried out by multiple organizations both within Japan and internationally.