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Japan severely breaches obligations under international law by persisting in discharge of nuclear-contaminated water into ocean
By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily
Japan is being extremely selfish and irresponsible by willfully clinging to its decision to release nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean in disregard of the strong opposition of the international community.
Its despicable act constitutes gross infringement of the legitimate rights and interests of its neighboring countries, severe breach of international justice and its obligations under international law, and major threat to the marine environment and the right to health of people around the world.
On April 13, 2021, the Japanese government unilaterally decided to dump a massive amount of nuclear-contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) into the ocean despite doubts and opposition from home and abroad.
One year has passed since Japan announced the erroneous decision and the country still hasn’t realized how terrible a mistake it is. According to a plan recently released by TEPCO for the disposal of nuclear-contaminated water generated by Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the country will soon begin official preparations for the release of the contaminated water and plans to begin long-term discharge of radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean in the spring of 2023.
While Japan opted for the discharge of the contaminated water into the ocean, an option with the least economic cost to itself, it posed the biggest environmental health and safety risk to the world. What an act of selfish calculation!
Data from TEPCO showed that the contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear accident still contains many kinds of radionuclides with a long half-life even after secondary treatment.
Japan plans to release more than one million tons of nuclear-contaminated water over a period of 30 years. The amount it intends to discharge, the duration of the release, the sea area covered, and potential risks that can be generated by the activity are all unprecedented.
The decision has aroused deep concerns and strong opposition from all sectors of society even at home. About 180,000 people in Japan recently signed a petition against the decision to dump nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean. Several organizations in Japan, including the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations, have reiterated their opposition to the decision.
According to an article published on Fukushima Minpo, a newspaper based in Fukushima prefecture of Japan, the Japanese government should respect the opinions of its citizens, listen to the voices of local residents, and terminate the plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean.
As a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident, the Convention on Nuclear Safety, and the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, Japan has knowingly breached its obligations under international law.
It didn’t conduct full consultation with its neighboring countries and other stakeholders before announcing its decision to discharge nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean. After its announcement of the decision, many countries, including China, South Korea, Russia, and the Philippines, as well as relevant international institutions, have expressed concerns over the issue and raised doubts and concerns with the Japanese side over the legitimacy of the discharge of the nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean, the rationality of the discharge plan, the credibility of data about the nuclear contaminated water and the reliability of the equipment to purify the nuclear-contaminated water.
However, to this day, Japan has yet to give a full and credible explanation for its decision and serious responses to relevant doubts and concerns.
People in Japan’s neighboring countries and countries on the Pacific Rim have rights to health and life as well as the environment. Japan, on the other hand, wants to make short-term money at the expense of these rights.
The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council released a report urging that the Japanese government should face up to its responsibility for the disposal of nuclear-contaminated water.
In a joint statement, U.N. human rights experts said that Japan’s decision to release contaminated water from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean is “particularly disappointing” and “very concerning”.
“The release of one million tons of contaminated water into the marine environment imposes considerable risks to the full enjoyment of human rights of concerned populations in and beyond the borders of Japan,” they said in the joint statement.
The international community has frequently expressed voices of justice, such as “The Pacific is not a dumping ground for radioactive waste water” and “keep our Pacific nuclear-free”. However, Japan has turned a deaf ear to all of them.
In this February, a technical working group of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) visited Japan for the first time and raised many questions to the Japanese side about its controversial plan to release radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean. Evaluation of the disposal of the nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima nuclear power plant is still in progress.
Surprisingly, Japan has not only ignored the concerns of various parties over the discharge of its nuclear-contaminated wastewater, but preset results for the evaluation conducted by the IAEA technical working group. The country repeatedly concealed information and covered up the truth.
When doubts about its decision to dump radioactive water into the ocean poured in, the country made no attempt to reflect on the legitimacy of the decision and correct its mistake, but blamed those who doubted its decision for damaging its reputation.
The Japanese side should know that no matter what it does to whitewash the plan to release the nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean, it would only increase the international community’s concerns.
The disposal of the nuclear-contaminated water is never Japan’s private matter. Instead, it bears on the marine environment and public health of the whole world.
Japan should pay careful attention to and respond to the concerns of its neighboring countries and other members of the international community, stop pushing forward with preparations for the discharge of the nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean, and withdraw its erroneous decision, so as to avoid further damage to its credibility.
News
Senator Monguno Delivers Monguno LGA for President Tinubu
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.
News
KUMO CONGRATULATES TINUBU ON PRIMARY VICTORY: “NIGERIA HAS FOUND IN YOU A LEADER WORTHY OF HER TRUST “
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.”
News
CBIAMEC Elects New Executives as National Coordinator, Onomuodeke Unveils Seven-Point Agenda
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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