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Japan must not take IAEA report to shield its ocean discharge

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By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily
The Japanese government obviously got excited after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) released a comprehensive report on the disposal of nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, taking the report as a shield that keeps off opposing voices against its plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water into the sea.
However, this carefully worded report failed to fully reflect views from experts that participated in the review. The conclusion was not shared by all experts and failed to review the justification and legitimacy of Japan’s ocean discharge plan. The attempt of the Japanese side is doomed to end up in vain.
The report cannot give legitimacy to Japan’s plan of discharging nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean.
Japan’s unilateral decision to dump nuclear-contaminated water into the Pacific is based entirely on minimizing economic cost, and will transfer risks to the whole world. Japan is the only beneficiary of the decision, while other countries in and near the Pacific will be forced to shoulder risks and spend huge amount of resources in coping with possible negative situations.
When the Japanese side requested the IAEA to review its discharge plan two years ago, it has excluded other safer and better plans. The IAEA only reviewed the plan that the Japanese side submitted.
The report said that the responsibility for justifying the decision to discharge the treated water falls to the Japanese government, which is significantly important for stakeholders. Japan’s discharge plan was not recommended or endorsed by the IAEA.
The report cannot fully prove that it’s safe and harmless to discharge nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station to the ocean.
The nuclear-contaminated water contains over 60 radionuclides, and there is not yet effective technology to treat many of those radionuclides. The effectiveness and maturity of Japan’s Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) has not been evaluated or certified by a third party, and the facility has repeatedly malfunctioned.
According to data released by Japan, over 70 percent of ALPS-treated nuclear-contaminated water failed to meet the discharge standards. Japan’s discharge of the nuclear-contaminated water will last as long as 30 years or even longer. How can it prove the long-term reliability of the ALPS? Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has a record of manipulating data and concealing accidents. How can the review based on statistics and information provided by this company assure the international community? The report said that the conclusions on safety was reached based on Japan’s discharge plan and will establish a long-term mechanism that monitors the discharge, which exactly proves the long-term risks of discharging the nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean.
The report cannot exempt the Japanese side from its due responsibilities and obligations under international law.
The international community is concerned about Japan’s discharge plan because it fears that Japan would transfer the risks of nuclear contamination to the rest of humanity, which is inconsistent with Japan’s obligations under the international law.
Some long-lived radionuclides may spread with the ocean currents. What impacts will they have on the ecological balance of coastal waters of Japan’s neighboring countries? Whether will they form a bio-concentration and pose potential hazards to food safety and human health with the mitigation of marine species and the food chain? No one has given convincing answers to these questions, be it the Japanese side or the IAEA.
Besides, such discharge violates Japan’s obligations to protect and preserve the marine environment as outlined in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and other international law and the provisions against dumping radioactive wastes from man-made structures at sea in the London Convention. The Japanese side cannot deny the fact that such discharge is suspected of violating its international obligations no matter how it whitewashes its intention.
The Japanese side is trying to hype the voice that distrusting the report is harming the authoritativeness of the IAEA. However, the biggest harm to the organization’s authoritativeness came from Japan’s efforts to limit the organization’s authorization in reviewing the discharge plan, which finally led to incomplete and conditional conclusions of the report.
A recent poll in Japan shows that 40 percent of the respondents oppose discharging the nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean. A joint survey by South Korean newspaper Hankook Ilbo and Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun also revealed that more than 80 percent of South Koreans disagree with Japan’s discharge plan.
Experts and citizens from Pacific island countries, the Philippines, Indonesia, South Africa and Peru have staged frequent protests against the discharge plan, and the Chinese people are strongly opposing Japan’s practice.
Regrettably, Japan has turned a blind eye to this and stubbornly announced that it would start discharging the nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean as scheduled this summer. It slandered other countries’ legitimate concerns and even mentioned water discharge from normal operation of nuclear power plants and dumping nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean in the same breath. This clearly is not what a responsible country does.
Japan has the responsibility and obligation to offer an explanation to the world on its discharge plan, which is a major issue that concerns the public interests of the international community.
It should be clear that the IAEA report cannot quiet the doubts of the world about its discharge plan, or become a “shield” or “greenlight” for the plan.
The country should faithfully fulfill its moral responsibility and obligations under international law, stop pushing forward the ocean discharge plan, fully study alternatives to the ocean discharge, carry out full consultation with neighboring countries and other stakeholders, and earnestly dispose of the nuclear-contaminated water in a science-based, safe and transparent manner.

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Senator Monguno Delivers Monguno LGA for President Tinubu

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Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Chief Whip of the Senate and distinguished representative of Borno North Senatorial District, has once again proven his political dexterity and grassroots command by delivering Monguno Local Government Area overwhelmingly for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Primaries.

The primaries, conducted in a peaceful and transparent atmosphere, drew massive participation from party faithful, stakeholders, youth groups, and women across Monguno LGA. The exercise was marked by unity, discipline, and enthusiasm, as members reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC and their unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda championed by President Tinubu.

Senator Monguno, addressing the gathering, commended the people for their steadfastness and collective spirit. He emphasized that the success of the primaries was not merely a reflection of his leadership but a testament to the enduring bond between the APC and the people of Borno North. “Our strength lies in our unity, our discipline, and our loyalty to the ideals of progress and development. Together, we will continue to sustain the dominance of our great party,” he declared.

Observers noted that the outcome of the primaries further cements Senator Monguno’s reputation as a formidable political figure in Borno State. His ability to mobilize diverse groups – from traditional leaders and community stakeholders to youth and women organizations – underscores his deep connection with the grassroots and his commitment to inclusive leadership.

The primaries also highlighted the growing confidence of the people in President Tinubu’s administration. Many participants expressed optimism that the Renewed Hope Agenda would bring lasting development, security, and prosperity to the region. The atmosphere was charged with chants of solidarity and renewed determination to ensure the continued success of the APC at both state and national levels.

Political analysts have described Monguno’s achievement as a strategic boost for the APC in Borno State, reinforcing the party’s dominance and strengthening its prospects for future contests. The senator’s role in coordinating the primaries has been widely praised as an example of effective leadership and organizational skill.

As the APC consolidates its position across Nigeria, the Monguno LGA primaries stand as a clear demonstration of the party’s resilience and the people’s trust in its vision. Senator Monguno’s influence, coupled with the collective will of Borno North, has once again positioned the district as a stronghold of support for President Tinubu and the APC.

With this successful outing, Borno North remains united, resolute, and firmly committed to advancing the progress of the party and the nation under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

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KUMO CONGRATULATES TINUBU ON PRIMARY VICTORY: “NIGERIA HAS FOUND IN YOU A LEADER WORTHY OF HER TRUST “

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Hon. Hamma-Adama Ali Kumo, popularly known as “Dattuwa”, Deputy National Financial Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Chairman of the Governing Board of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his landslide victory at the 2026 APC Presidential Primary Election.
In a warm and heartfelt message, Kumo described the President’s victory as a clear and resounding endorsement by millions of ordinary Nigerians who have seen, felt, and believed in his leadership.
“Mr. President, today the people have spoken. From the North to the South, from state to state and ward to ward, APC members came out in their millions to say — we are with you. This victory belongs to every Nigerian who believes in a better tomorrow,” Kumo said.
He praised President Tinubu for the courage and humility he demonstrated by subjecting himself to the democratic process — choosing to stand and be elected rather than using the power of incumbency to sidestep the people’s verdict.
“You are a President who could have taken the easy road. Instead, you opened the door to all, welcomed a challenger, and stood before the Nigerian people to be judged. That is the mark of a true democrat, and we are proud of you,” he said.
Kumo also celebrated the Electoral Act 2026 — signed by the President — which abolished the delegate system and empowered grassroots party members across all 8,809 wards to vote directly for their preferred candidate. He described it as one of the most important gifts any President has given to Nigerian democracy.
“You did not just talk about democracy. You legislated for it, and then you lived by it. That consistency of character is what sets you apart,” Kumo added.
As a member of the APC’s National Working Committee and Chairman of the ITF Governing Board — a position he holds by the confidence of the President — Kumo said he remained fully committed to supporting the Tinubu administration in delivering on its Renewed Hope agenda for all Nigerians.
He closed with a personal charge to the President.
“Your Excellency, the mandate is yours. The people trust you. Go and finish the work. Nigeria is counting on you, and we are all standing firmly behind you.”

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CBIAMEC Elects New Executives as National Coordinator, Onomuodeke Unveils Seven-Point Agenda

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The CSO Budget Implementation, Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (CBIAMEC) has on Friday, elected new executives to pilot the affairs of the committee, with Comrade Patrick Ogheneyero Onomuodeke, emerging as the newly elected National Coordinator.

The election, which drew members, stakeholders, and observers from different sectors, marked a significant transition in the leadership structure of the committee and reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, inclusion, and effective project monitoring across the country.

Other officers were also elected into key positions including General Secretary, Head of Operations, Head of Legal, Head of Media, among others.

Speaking shortly after the election, Comrade Patrick Ogheneyero unveiled a seven-point agenda aimed at repositioning the committee for greater efficiency, visibility, and impact. According to him, the agenda will focus on strengthening institutional capacity, promoting transparency in budget implementation processes, improving collaboration with relevant stakeholders, enhancing media visibility, deepening citizen engagement, promoting inclusiveness, and ensuring effective monitoring and evaluation of projects and policies.

He stressed the importance of unity, professionalism, and dedication among members, noting that civil society organizations must continue to play active roles in promoting good governance and accountability in the country.

The newly elected National Coordinator further pledged to run an open, inclusive, and result-driven administration that would prioritize teamwork, transparency, and national development.

The election also witnessed the presence of notable observers and stakeholders, including Comrade Adodo Solomon, Chairman Public and Private Partnership, as well as international development expert, Mrs. Tamara Jensin, President and Chairman Arc-royal International, alongside other dignitaries.

Members of the committee expressed optimism over the emergence of the new executives, describing the development as a fresh opportunity to reposition the organization and strengthen its relevance within the civic and governance space.

The event concluded with goodwill messages and renewed commitments by members to work collectively toward achieving the vision and objectives of the committee.

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