Russia on Monday (Oct 16) suspended all Japanese seafood imports in the aftermath of Tokyo's release of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant.&nbsp;

Previously, China had suspended the imports, saying that Tokyo has not proved the authenticity and accuracy of the nuclear wastewater data, nor that the ocean discharge of the water is harmless to the marine environment and human health.&nbsp;

China was Japan's biggest market for fish, accounting for more than $500 million worth of exports in 2022.&nbsp;

Japan recently released treated radioactive water into the sea from its defunct nuclear reactor in Fukushima after the International Atomic Energy Agency approved the plan.&nbsp;

A nuclear accident occurred at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant nuclear plant during the 2011 tsunami when a large quantity of radioactive material was released, causing significant human suffering.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-to-expect-from-chinas-belt-and-and-road-forum-in-beijing-647318">What to expect from China's Belt and and Road Forum in Beijing?</a>&nbsp;

After the tsunami hit, some of the nuclear facility's reactors went into meltdown as the cooling systems were overwhelmed, causing a nuclear accident — the worst since Chernobyl.&nbsp;

The water was distilled after being contaminated from contact with fuel rods at the reactor. The tanks on the site now hold about 1.3 million tonnes of radioactive water, which is massive. It is a mixture of groundwater, rain that seeps into the area, and water used for cooling.&nbsp;

On Mar 11, 2011, Japan was struck by a massive magnitude 9.0 earthquake which was centred in the Pacific Ocean about 80 kilometres east of the city of Sendai.&nbsp;

The quake led to a powerful tsunami. According to the US Geological Survey, it was the largest earthquake ever recorded in Japan and the fourth largest recorded worldwide since 1900.&nbsp;

As per the data released officially, the number of those confirmed dead or listed as missing from the 2011 disaster was about 18,500. Another estimated it to be at least 20,000. Reports have mentioned that the majority of those killed were drowning victims of the tsunami waves.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-who-is-daniel-noboa-ecuadors-youngest-president-elect-647514">Who is Daniel Noboa? Ecuador's youngest president-elect</a>

<h2>What did Russia say?&nbsp;</h2>

Ever since it released the treated water, Japan has faced the wrath of some nations and a number of environmentalists.&nbsp;

Japan has also criticised Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, while Tokyo's relations with Beijing, which has deepened ties with Moscow, have worsened.&nbsp;

As reported by the news agency AFP, Rosselkhoznadzor, Russia's body responsible for regulating agriculture products, said that as a "precautionary measure", it was "joining China's provisional restrictive measures on the import of fish and seafood products from Japan as of October 16, 2023".&nbsp;

It added that the restrictions would remain in place "until the necessary exhaustive information to confirm the safety of seafood produce ... is forthcoming".&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Russia on Monday (Oct 16) suspended all Japanese seafood imports in the aftermath of Tokyo's release of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant. Previously, China had suspended the imports, saying that Tokyo has not proved the authenticity and accuracy of the nuclear wastewater data, nor that the ocean discharge of the water is harmless to the marine environment and human health.

Russia on Monday (Oct 16) suspended all Japanese seafood imports in the aftermath of Tokyo's release of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant. Previously, China had suspended the imports, saying that Tokyo has not proved the authenticity and accuracy of the nuclear wastewater data, nor that the ocean discharge of the water is harmless to the marine environment and human health. China was Japan's biggest market for fish, accounting for more than $500 million worth of exports in 2022. Japan recently released treated radioactive water into the sea from its defunct nuclear reactor in Fukushima after the International Atomic Energy Agency approved the plan. A nuclear accident occurred at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant nuclear plant during the 2011 tsunami when a large quantity of radioactive material was released, causing significant human suffering. Also read: What to expect from China's Belt and and Road Forum in Beijing? After the tsunami hit, some of the nuclear facility's reactors went into meltdown as the cooling systems were overwhelmed, causing a nuclear accident — the worst since Chernobyl. The water was distilled after being contaminated from contact with fuel rods at the reactor. The tanks on the site now hold about 1.3 million tonnes of radioactive water, which is massive. It is a mixture of groundwater, rain that seeps into the area, and water used for cooling. On Mar 11, 2011, Japan was struck by a massive magnitude 9.0 earthquake which was centred in the Pacific Ocean about 80 kilometres east of the city of Sendai. The quake led to a powerful tsunami. According to the US Geological Survey, it was the largest earthquake ever recorded in Japan and the fourth largest recorded worldwide since 1900. As per the data released officially, the number of those confirmed dead or listed as missing from the 2011 disaster was about 18,500. Another estimated it to be at least 20,000. Reports have mentioned that the majority of those killed were drowning victims of the tsunami waves. Also read: Who is Daniel Noboa? Ecuador's youngest president-elect What did Russia say? Ever since it released the treated water, Japan has faced the wrath of some nations and a number of environmentalists. Japan has also criticised Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, while Tokyo's relations with Beijing, which has deepened ties with Moscow, have worsened. As reported by the news agency AFP, Rosselkhoznadzor, Russia's body responsible for regulating agriculture products, said that as a "precautionary measure", it was "joining China's provisional restrictive measures on the import of fish and seafood products from Japan as of October 16, 2023". It added that the restrictions would remain in place "until the necessary exhaustive information to confirm the safety of seafood produce ... is forthcoming". (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Fukushima plant water release: Russia follows China, suspends all Japanese seafood imports

New Zealand has expressed confidence in the advice of the United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), regarding Japan's plan to release treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean.

On Monday, the nation said it has "full confidence" in the nuclear watchdog's advice.

<h2>What New Zealand said about discharge of treated 'nuclear' water from Fukushima plant</h2>

New Zealand's Foreign Minister, Nanaia Mahuta, met with IAEA director general Rafael Grossi in Auckland to discuss the IAEA's report on the proposed release.

As per AFP, during the meeting, Mahuta commended the IAEA's science-based approach and emphasised the need for meaningful engagement with the Pacific region due to its history with nuclear testing.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fukushima-water-release-iaea-chief-meets-south-korean-lawmakers-amid-protests-613608">Fukushima water release: IAEA chief meets South Korean lawmakers amid protests</a>

In a statement, the minister said: "I reiterated New Zealand's full confidence in the IAEA's advice and commended their science-based approach."

"I also felt it was important to draw attention to the Pacific's traumatic experience with nuclear testing and asked directly that meaningful engagement continues with the Pacific region on the proposed release," she added.

The nation itself has a strong nuclear-free policy and does not have any nuclear power stations.

<h2>What 'advice' did the nuclear watchdog give?</h2>

Last week, the UN nuclear watchdog gave the green light to a years-long project that looks to discharge treated water from the Fukushima plant, which was devastated by an earthquake and tsunami which hit the eastern coast of Japan in 2011.

The IAEA stated that Tokyo's scheme to release accumulated water from the nuclear plant and into the sea over the coming decades would have a "negligible" radiological impact on people and the environment.

As per the agency, the discharge is "consistent with relevant international safety standards" and "the controlled, gradual discharges of the treated water to the sea... would have a negligible radiological impact on people and the environment."

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-south-koreans-protest-iaea-chiefs-visit-over-fukushima-water-release-613508">IN PICS | South Koreans protest IAEA chief's visit over Fukushima water release</a>

News agency AFP reports that at the Fukushima nuclear plant, approximately 1.33 million cubic metres of water, including groundwater, rainwater, and cooling water, have accumulated since the 2011 tsunami caused multiple meltdowns. The plant operator treats the water to remove most radioactive elements, except for tritium, and intends to dilute it before discharging it into the ocean over several decades.

<h2>Criticism by other nations</h2>

While New Zealand supports the IAEA's stance, Japan's plan has raised concerns among neighbouring countries. North Korea has criticised the IAEA for supporting the scheme, and China has announced that it will place a ban on certain Japanese food imports. Additionally, public concern has also grown in South Korea.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

New Zealand has expressed confidence in the advice of the United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), regarding Japan's plan to release treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean.

New Zealand has expressed confidence in the advice of the United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), regarding Japan's plan to release treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean. On Monday, the nation said it has "full confidence" in the nuclear watchdog's advice. What New Zealand said about discharge of treated 'nuclear' water from Fukushima plant New Zealand's Foreign Minister, Nanaia Mahuta, met with IAEA director general Rafael Grossi in Auckland to discuss the IAEA's report on the proposed release. As per AFP, during the meeting, Mahuta commended the IAEA's science-based approach and emphasised the need for meaningful engagement with the Pacific region due to its history with nuclear testing. Also read | Fukushima water release: IAEA chief meets South Korean lawmakers amid protests In a statement, the minister said: "I reiterated New Zealand's full confidence in the IAEA's advice and commended their science-based approach." "I also felt it was important to draw attention to the Pacific's traumatic experience with nuclear testing and asked directly that meaningful engagement continues with the Pacific region on the proposed release," she added. The nation itself has a strong nuclear-free policy and does not have any nuclear power stations. What 'advice' did the nuclear watchdog give? Last week, the UN nuclear watchdog gave the green light to a years-long project that looks to discharge treated water from the Fukushima plant, which was devastated by an earthquake and tsunami which hit the eastern coast of Japan in 2011. The IAEA stated that Tokyo's scheme to release accumulated water from the nuclear plant and into the sea over the coming decades would have a "negligible" radiological impact on people and the environment. As per the agency, the discharge is "consistent with relevant international safety standards" and "the controlled, gradual discharges of the treated water to the sea... would have a negligible radiological impact on people and the environment." Also read | IN PICS | South Koreans protest IAEA chief's visit over Fukushima water release News agency AFP reports that at the Fukushima nuclear plant, approximately 1.33 million cubic metres of water, including groundwater, rainwater, and cooling water, have accumulated since the 2011 tsunami caused multiple meltdowns. The plant operator treats the water to remove most radioactive elements, except for tritium, and intends to dilute it before discharging it into the ocean over several decades. Criticism by other nations While New Zealand supports the IAEA's stance, Japan's plan has raised concerns among neighbouring countries. North Korea has criticised the IAEA for supporting the scheme, and China has announced that it will place a ban on certain Japanese food imports. Additionally, public concern has also grown in South Korea. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

New Zealand backs UN nuclear watchdog's approval of Fukushima water release

South Korea has stated that it believes that the plan of Japan to release water treated from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear power plant will be able to meet international standards, a few days after a United Nations atomic agency, in its review of the controversial proposal, found it to be safe as China imposed a ban on import of food products from 10 Japanese prefectures, citing safety reasons.&nbsp;

Seoul stated that its own assessments, which are based on the plant's inspection in late May, the data collected, review of the UN nuclear watchdog IAEA’s suggested that there is no danger in releasing more than 1.3 million tonnes of radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean if it is carried out according to the proposal.

“We have confirmed the concentration of radioactive material meets standards for ocean discharge … and therefore, the plan meets international standards including those of the IAEA,” said Bang Moon-kyu, Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, in a briefing on Friday.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fukushima-nuclear-plant-water-release-is-safe-says-iaea-chief-612362">Fukushima nuclear plant water release is safe, says IAEA chief</a>

<h2>IAEA chief says ‘completely safe' to release treated wastewater</h2>

Assuring the safety of the water to be released, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said even though fears over the proposed plan reflect a “very logical sense of uncertainty” that should be considered seriously, he is “completely convinced of the sound basis of our conclusions.”

“We have been looking at this basic policy for more than two years. We have been assessing it against … the most stringent standards that exist,” Grossi said while speaking to CNN on Friday.

“And we are quite certain of what we are saying, and the scheme we have proposed," he added.&nbsp;

<h2>China imposes ban on Japanese food&nbsp;</h2>

China’s customs department on Friday announced a ban on the import of food products, coming from 10 Japanese prefectures, citing safety reasons and said that it would increase testing for radioactive substances.

In a statement, the department said that it will enhance monitoring of products which include seafood and continue to place curbs on produce coming from one-fifth of Japan's prefectures due to safety reasons.

WATCH |&nbsp;Japan set to release water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/japan-set-to-release-water-from-the-fukushima-nuclear-plant-into-the-pacific-611349/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

China will "strengthen supervision" and "rigorously examine" certificates for food imports, which will especially include aquatic products coming from the other non-banned prefectures, said the administration, emphasising restrictions on the 10 prefectures that are in place.

"The Japanese side still has many problems in the legitimacy of sea discharge, the reliability of purification equipment and the perfection of monitoring programmes," said Chinese customs.&nbsp;

It stated that the report prepared by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) fails to fully reflect the views of all experts who are involved in the assessment process, and they did not endorse the conclusions unanimously.

The UN nuclear watchdog approved Japan's plan on Tuesday, as it faced opposition at home and abroad. Japan insists that the water released will be safe and will meet global standards.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can&nbsp;now write for wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

South Korea has stated that it believes that the plan of Japan to release water treated from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear power plant will be able to meet international standards, a few days after a United Nations atomic agency, in its review of the controversial proposal, found it to be safe as China imposed a ban on import of food products from 10 Japanese prefectures, citing safety reasons.

South Korea has stated that it believes that the plan of Japan to release water treated from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear power plant will be able to meet international standards, a few days after a United Nations atomic agency, in its review of the controversial proposal, found it to be safe as China imposed a ban on import of food products from 10 Japanese prefectures, citing safety reasons. Seoul stated that its own assessments, which are based on the plant's inspection in late May, the data collected, review of the UN nuclear watchdog IAEA’s suggested that there is no danger in releasing more than 1.3 million tonnes of radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean if it is carried out according to the proposal. “We have confirmed the concentration of radioactive material meets standards for ocean discharge … and therefore, the plan meets international standards including those of the IAEA,” said Bang Moon-kyu, Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, in a briefing on Friday. ALSO READ | Fukushima nuclear plant water release is safe, says IAEA chief IAEA chief says ‘completely safe' to release treated wastewater Assuring the safety of the water to be released, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said even though fears over the proposed plan reflect a “very logical sense of uncertainty” that should be considered seriously, he is “completely convinced of the sound basis of our conclusions.” “We have been looking at this basic policy for more than two years. We have been assessing it against … the most stringent standards that exist,” Grossi said while speaking to CNN on Friday. “And we are quite certain of what we are saying, and the scheme we have proposed," he added. China imposes ban on Japanese food China’s customs department on Friday announced a ban on the import of food products, coming from 10 Japanese prefectures, citing safety reasons and said that it would increase testing for radioactive substances. In a statement, the department said that it will enhance monitoring of products which include seafood and continue to place curbs on produce coming from one-fifth of Japan's prefectures due to safety reasons. WATCH | Japan set to release water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific China will "strengthen supervision" and "rigorously examine" certificates for food imports, which will especially include aquatic products coming from the other non-banned prefectures, said the administration, emphasising restrictions on the 10 prefectures that are in place. "The Japanese side still has many problems in the legitimacy of sea discharge, the reliability of purification equipment and the perfection of monitoring programmes," said Chinese customs. It stated that the report prepared by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) fails to fully reflect the views of all experts who are involved in the assessment process, and they did not endorse the conclusions unanimously. The UN nuclear watchdog approved Japan's plan on Tuesday, as it faced opposition at home and abroad. Japan insists that the water released will be safe and will meet global standards. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Seoul supports Fukushima water plan as China imposes ban on Japanese food