**: Radio and Television International**.
Editor: Han Kitao.
Japan's Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has "had an accident" again.
Japan's largest nuclear power company said on the 8th that the leakage accident of the nuclear-contaminated water purification device at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant that occurred the day before may have been caused by human error. At that time, a staff member was cleaning a unit when he noticed a leak in the exhaust port. Of the 16 valves that should have been manually closed during cleaning, 10 were open. This causes water containing radioactive material to flow into the exhaust pipe, mixing with tap water.
According to Fukushima local reports, the accident caused about 55 tons of nuclear-contaminated water leaked. The amount of radioactive material in the leaked water is estimated to be as high as 22 billion becquerels, far exceeding the standard that needs to be reported to **. Relevant experts told the "International Rui Review" that this value is likely to have a certain impact on the surrounding environment and the human body. According to local**, radiation levels at the site of the incident were about 240 times higher than those in the surrounding area.
TEPCO's accident happened again, and it was not surprising to the outside world. Since the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident in 2011, the company has been the scene of accidents and crisis scandals. As for the total number, I'm afraid even it can't say clearly. In the past year alone, there have been these accidents that have been remembered:
In March last year, about 8 tons of nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant mistakenly flowed into other storage tanks.
In June last year, radioactive material with higher than normal activity was detected in the water surrounding the embankment of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station's nuclear-contaminated water storage tank. It took some time for East Voltage to announce that there were cracks in the hoses used to transport the nuclear-contaminated water, which caused the leakage of the nuclear-contaminated water.
In October last year, several TEPCO workers were exposed to waste liquid containing radioactive materials while treating the multi-nuclide treatment system (ALPS) pipeline for the treatment of nuclear-contaminated water, and two of them were rushed to the hospital. As for the total amount of waste liquid splattered in the accident, TEPCO's description is inconsistent, and the difference is dozens of times.
In December, a worker at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant was contaminated with radioactive material ...... his face
On the one hand, accidents and crises continue to occur, and on the other hand, it claims that the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water into the sea is "safe" and "reliable" -- and people have every reason to suspect that there is a huge "black hole" in the Japanese side of the discharge into the sea. This also strengthens the outside world's judgment on three key issues
First, TEPCO is powerless to ensure the safety of the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water. Through accident after accident, it was discovered that TEPCO had huge loopholes in its safety management capabilities and handling processes, and lacked the basic spirit of integrity and social responsibility. Every time an accident occurs, TEPCO does not review and reflect on it, but finds various excuses to cover it up. How can a company with chaotic internal management and careless protection of its employees assume the responsibility of "safely" disposing of millions of tons of nuclear-contaminated water?
Second, Japan's lack of supervision is to blame. Nuclear energy is essential to the functioning of Japan's economy and society. TEPCO has frequent accidents and bad records, but why do Japanese regulators turn a blind eye? Many Japanese scholars have pointed out that there is an intertwined relationship of interests between Japan and TEPCO, and it is difficult for them to really play a supervisory role. Moreover, after the plan for discharging the nuclear-contaminated water into the sea was determined, Japan put its main efforts on public relations and lobbying for "whitewashing", and did not have the heart to work the safe disposal and supervision of the nuclear-contaminated water. Let's ask: If Japan can't even manage a "problem enterprise", how can it ensure that it is safe and reliable in the management of nuclear contaminated water discharge?
Third, it is imperative for the international community to participate in supervising Japan's disposal of nuclear-contaminated water. There is no precedent for dumping large quantities of nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean, and it is by no means a private matter for Japan, and it is related to the common interests of all mankind. But from the very beginning, Japan** has tried to get the "endorsement" of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), refused to allow neighboring countries to participate in the monitoring and disposal of nuclear-contaminated water, and even attacked and smeared countries that raised legitimate questions. However, the successive accidents have proved that Japan** and TEPCO alone cannot ensure the long-term stable and effective operation of the nuclear-contaminated water purification plant and the sea discharge facility. The international community has every reason to participate in the whole-process supervision, and the Japanese side should fully cooperate.
Since August last year, Japan has carried out three rounds of sewage discharge into the sea, with a cumulative discharge of more than 230,000 tons of nuclear-contaminated water. The fourth round of sea discharge will start later this month. TEPCO's latest accident has once again sounded the alarm for the Japanese side. Japanese politicians should show responsibility and conscience, seriously deal with TEPCO's safety risks, call off the next emission plan, and consult with the international community to find a solution that is acceptable to all parties. If you go to the dark, you will pay the price. (International Critic).