Currently, nuclear waste is one of the main causes of global marine environmental pollution. The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS, 1982), as an international law of the sea instrument, regulates the obligations of states in protecting the marine environment but does not explicitly regulate nuclear waste. Environmental law, as a branch of law that regulates all matters related to the environment, is present in the face of increasingly complex environmental problems. Environmental law is an important tool to regulate human behavior towards the environment with all its aspects so that there is no destruction and pollution of the environment and degradation of environmental functions. Long-lived radioactive substances can have varying effects on animals and humans, ranging from mild symptoms such as dizziness or headaches to serious illnesses such as epilepsy, fainting, and cancer. If contamination levels are high, it can even lead to death. These effects are not only limited to humans and animals but can also cause death in contaminated marine life. Marine life can ingest the radiation (radioactive substances), which can be fatal to them. Seen from the dimension of its current development, the idea of environmental law is actually corrective to various mistakes that have been made due to the lack of strict control of the impact of modernization characterized by the process of industrialization and trade. Japan’s actions in disposing of nuclear waste in Fukushima have caused surrounding countries to hold it accountable for the negative impacts it has caused. The waste dumping has polluted the Pacific Ocean, harassed fishermen, and hampered the fishing industry.
On March 11, 2011, an 8.9-magnitude earthquake shook the southern coast of Japan, followed by a tsunami. The tsunami wave reached a height of 14 meters, exceeding the 7-meter-high protective wall of the Fukushima reactor plant. The earthquake and the 14-meter tsunami caused devastating flooding that reached the prefecture of the Fukushima NPP. As a result, there was a mixed reaction between fuel and water, causing hydrogen gas to form, triggering an explosion; the entire Fukushima NPP “shut down” automatically. This caused the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) to lose the total power source needed to operate safety systems, one of which is the reactor core cooling system, and as a result, if it shuts down, there is a very drastic increase in temperature. Fukushima NPP continues to produce 100 cubic meters of waste every day, coming from water tanks to cool the reactor core. Japan needs the land occupied by these tanks in order to build new infrastructure to accommodate the wastewater so that it can safely decommission the damaged power plant, as a result of the reason for the capacity crisis, which is the pretext for Japan’s action to dump the waste of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (PLTN) into the Pacific Ocean starting in August 2023. In the process of disposal, Japan confidently guarantees that the radioactive levels of its waste have reached acceptable safety standards.
Japan’s disposal of nuclear waste from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) into the Pacific Sea has been the subject of heated debate at both the national and international levels. Japan’s decision to dispose of the waste has generated various reactions and concerns from various parties, including the general public, fishermen, anti-nuclear activists, and neighboring countries such as China, South Korea, and the United States. Japan has already obtained permission from the United Nations Nuclear Regulatory Agency as well as the International Atomic Energy Association/IAEA regarding the plan. However, it has been criticized by several parties, both from Japan’s own side, such as fishermen, anti-nuclear activists, and the general public, as well as internationally, such as China, South Korea, and the United States. This issue reflects the complexity of managing nuclear waste, as well as the importance of considering environmental and economic impacts. Although tritium is in relatively low quantities, it remains a concern as it can negatively impact marine ecosystems and human health if accumulated in significant amounts. Criticism has also been directed at the screening process undertaken by Japan, with some questioning its effectiveness in removing all potentially harmful radioactive isotopes. In this context, it is important to bear in mind that nuclear waste has
unique and complex characteristics. Even isotopes considered relatively safe, such as tritium, can have significant impacts if they accumulate significantly in the environment. In August 2023, China announced a ban on seafood imports from Japan in response to the discharge of Fukushima nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean. This policy had a significant impact on Japan’s fishing industry, as China is one of the main export markets for Japanese seafood products. According to data from Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, Japan’s seafood exports to China amounted to about US$600 million in 2022, and the ban caused a drastic drop in sales, forcing Japan to look for alternative markets such as the United States and the European Union. In addition, Japan allocated a compensation fund of 80 billion yen (about 550 million US dollars) to support local fishermen affected by the policy.
These tensions highlight the importance of regional cooperation in dealing with global environmental challenges, including nuclear waste management. In the face of these complexities, a holistic and scientifically based approach to managing nuclear waste is needed. This includes increased transparency in communication between governments, scientists, and civil society, as well as enhanced international cooperation in the development of technologies and policies to reduce the risks and impacts of nuclear waste. Only with a comprehensive and sustainable approach can we ensure that nuclear energy-related decisions take into account not only economic interests but also the interests of the environment and human health as a whole.