The Pacific Collective on Nuclear Issues, composed of civil society groups, NGOs and movements in the Pacific, remains resolute in its position, denouncing the dumping of radioactive wastewater from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.
They say this ongoing dumping operation, about which the Pacific people were neither consulted nor consented to requires further dialogue.
They add they deplore Japan’s actions as a blatant contradiction.
The 10 Pacific Alliance Leaders Meeting summit with the Government of Japan has a common vision of ‘striving forward together’ on the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and Japan’s Pacific Bond Policy of ‘Kizuno’, where the Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has used to define the relationship as “mutually indispensable partners”.
They say the declaration also highlights Japan’s commitments to the aspirations of the 2050 Strategy specifically related to protecting the health of our ocean, environment, the people and the agency of Pacific leadership in these responsibilities amongst others such as ensuring peace and security and addressing the climate crisis.
The Japanese PM has shown commitment in responding to Pacific concerns about the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated wastewater dumping operation.
However, despite repeated calls from the Pacific people including fisher folk, youth, women’s groups, community elders, churches, and political leaders—who share an intimate and truly indispensable partnership with our Blue Pacific, Japan has continued to desecrate the home with its nuclear wastewater dumping.
The Pacific Collective on Nuclear Issues says for them Blue Pacific is not just a body of water; it is their life.
They say the health and function of the marine ecosystems of the Pacific Ocean are already negatively affected by numerous human-induced stressors, including pollution, overfishing and the impacts of climate change.
