Arab News Japan

TOKYO: International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi paid a courtesy call to Japanese Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio on Thursday following a visit to Fukushima on Wednesday, after which he confirmed that the discharge of ALPS-treated water into the sea is being carried out safely and in full accordance with international standards.

He added that the IAEA is continuing its involvement in the discharge of treated water, which has come under fire from anti-nuclear parties as well as countries such as China and South Korea. Gross said he is planning to visit China soon to discuss non-proliferation topics and reassure the Chinese regarding the discharge in Fukushima.

Gross also said he had visited Ukraine and Russia recently and spoke to the presidents of both countries, expressing concern to President Vladimir Putin over the situation with Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and also discussing Iran and the JCPOA Agreement concerning that country’s nuclear program.

Prime Minister Kishida conveyed his gratitude to Grossi for his commitment to the discharge of ALPS-treated water into the sea, adding that Japan is continuing to work with the IAEA to help with the international community’s understanding and to maintain a high level of transparency in the process based on scientific evidence.

Kishida also stated that Japan’s relationship with the IAEA is not limited to issues related to ALPS-treated water.

The Prime Minister said that the utilization of nuclear technology is one of the solutions to various global challenges that the world is facing, and that Japan would like to work closely with the IAEA, the international authority in the field of nuclear energy, in various fields. Grossi expressed his appreciation for Japan’s efforts to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

In addition, Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan attaches great importance to the Non-Proliferation Treaty as a cornerstone for realistic and practical efforts to realize a world without nuclear weapons. The two sides said they would continue their cooperation in the field of non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.