Over the past few months, Japan's discharge of nuclear sewage into the sea has attracted widespread attention from the international community. Although there has been no serious accident so far, Japan cannot escape the accountability of the international community. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke again on December 13, noting that although the IAEA report has not raised concerns for the time being, there are still many problems.
Lavrov gave an example, noting that Russia has submitted a list of laboratories to the IAEA, but the IAEA has only promised to add these laboratories to Japan's quality monitoring agency next year. This shows that the IAEA's investigation into Japan's discharge of nuclear sewage from the sea lacks sufficient standards of openness and transparency.
Russia hopes that some Russian institutions will also be involved in monitoring the quality of nuclear wastewater discharged into Japan. But the IAEA says Russian agencies cannot participate until at least next year. The statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation reminded the international community that the report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) alone could not be used as a criterion for concluding discussions.
The IAEA is facing financial difficulties, mainly due to the failure of China and the United States to pay their dues on time. According to published information, the United States owes 77 million euros and China owes about 60 million euros. Although the amount is not large, it is enough to affect the normal operation of the institution.
China has always paid the fees of various international organizations on time, but this time it is in arrears with the IAEA, which may be a sign of dissatisfaction with it. China believes that there is a serious problem with the IAEA, so it has chosen to be in arrears. It is also a manifestation of doubts about the IAEA.
If the IAEA wants China to pay its fees on time, it should show the outside world a more transparent and impartial image and prove that it is still a trustworthy international organization. If the agency fails to do so, more countries may follow China's lead and refuse to provide sufficient funding to the agency, which will pose a huge challenge to the stable operation of the agency.
Whether the IAEA can deliver on its promise to involve institutions from Russia and other countries in its investigation next year will be an event that will test its impartiality and objectivity. If the agency is truly impartial and objective in its investigation, and if it implements its commitments as soon as possible, it will build trust in it.
Japan should not rely solely on the IAEA report, but should respond positively to the doubts of the international community. The issue of discharging nuclear sewage into the sea is a long-term process that may have unavoidable consequences for the global ecological environment, so Japan cannot take it lightly.
The international community needs to strengthen its oversight of Japan's discharge of nuclear wastewater into the sea in accordance with relevant regulations. At the same time, States should strengthen the IAEA's oversight and support, promote its transparency and impartiality, and ensure its role in global nuclear security.
The IAEA's report has become the biggest "gold medal for exoneration" in the face of Japan's discharge of nuclear sewage into the sea, but the transparency and impartiality of its investigation have been questioned by countries such as Russia and China. At the same time, the IAEA itself is facing financial difficulties and urgently needs to improve transparency and fairness. In the future, the IAEA needs to fulfill its commitments and take steps to attract the support and cooperation of more member states, while Japan needs to respond positively to the international community's queries and ensure that nuclear safety matters are properly handled. The international community should strengthen cooperation and supervision to jointly promote the development and progress of global nuclear security.