The Interfaith Forum for the Review of National Nuclear Policy (Japan)
July 3, 2023
TO:
Mr. Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan
Mr. Yasutoshi Nishimura, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
We, the Interfaith Forum for the Review of National Nuclear Policy, are a national network of religious leaders (Buddhist, Christian, Shinto, etc.) from various regions who are concerned about the national policy regarding nuclear power. In 1993, when the Monju (Manjusri) fast breeder reactor was about to reach the stage of criticality, we gathered in Tsuruga to form our network. Many religious organizations to which our members belong have already lodged protests against the dumping of radioactive water into the ocean from the Fukushima #1 nuclear complex, and we, as an organization with horizontal ties to these religions, would like to lodge a protest as well. Briefly, the main reasons are as follows:
- The government calls the water as “treated” or “processed” (処理 shori). However, even if it is treated through the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS), it is still contaminated water from a nuclear power plant accident, which is unlike ordinary nuclear power plant effluent. There are still many types and amounts of radionuclides that are released without being fully treated, so it is not a matter of how much dilution is allowed.
- In fact, it was revealed in August 2018 that radioactive materials in excess of the notified concentration remained in tank storage water after purification of contaminated water, such as tritium, cesium-134, cesium-137, strontium-90, and other radioactive materials, such as iodine-129 with a half-life of 15.7 million years. Until then, TEPCO had explained that radionuclides other than tritium had been removed to below standard levels, proving that the lenient assumptions were not being followed.
- No matter how diluted, bioaccumulation in the ecosystem will continue, and it is inevitable that over the years this radiation will become a threat to our way of life.
- Although the Japanese government denies any effect from tritium, some experts warn that tritium can cause extremely serious internal radiation exposure by changing into organically bound tritium in the human body. There are also several epidemiological studies that support this.
- The government claims that there is no other way but to discharge the waste into the ocean. This claim is despite the fact that experts have indicated the possibility of above-ground storage in large, solid tanks and mortar solidification disposal; options which have not been considered. There is also a site at the Fukushima #1 nuclear complex where the expansion of Units 7-8 has been planned, so there is still room for tank storage.
- The government’s decision is contrary to its promise to local fishermen that it would “not proceed without their understanding”. This is absolutely unacceptable. All of those in the fishing industry across the country feel the same anger. We, the people as a whole, feel the same way.
- We suspect that the reason the government is trying to force the release of treated water is to establish a precedent for the further discharge of radioactive materials at the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant in northern Aomori, where all of Japan’s spent nuclear fuel is stockpiled for the potential of recycling. Such a discharge would exceed that of the present Fukushima discharge by several levels.
As religious persons, out of reverence and compassion for all life on earth, we are firmly opposed to any government plan that threatens such life.
Interfaith Forum for the Review of National Nuclear Policy
Rev. Hiroaki Osada (Jodo Shin Otani) Secretariat
Rev. Takumi Okayama (Jodo Shin Otani)
Rev. Shingo Naito (Lutheran Church)
Rev. Hidehito Okochi (Jodo)
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