[imagesource:pexels]

Japan’s recent decision to release treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant has sparked an array of controversies, particularly with China.

While scientists largely agree that the impact of this release will be negligible, it has generated widespread discontent and misinformation, fuelling fear and suspicion.

China in particular has vehemently protested the release of the treated wastewater, launching what appears to be a coordinated disinformation campaign, spouting ‘fake news’ in order to sway public opinion.

Since January, the Chinese government and state media have consistently questioned the scientific rationale behind this discharge, raising doubts among the public. And now, since the actual release of the water on August 24, the nation has fuelled even more public anger.

Meanwhile, Japan’s ministers are trying to maintain calm and have shared footage of the government officials ingesting fish from the area around Fukushima.

Japan’s PM and other ministers eat fish caught off Fukushima to dispel safety concerns after the release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/ye0PHpIuE0

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) August 30, 2023

Despite numerous incidents racking up, including rocks thrown at Japanese children in Chinese schools, boycotts against Japanese products, and hundreds of hostile phone calls, there is no proof that China’s citizens have been directly harmed by the Fukushima water release.

Chinese state-owned media have also run paid advertisements on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, without warnings or disclaimers, emphasising the risks associated with the Fukushima water release in multiple countries and languages, including English, German, and Khmer. This move has raised concerns that the campaign is politically motivated.

And while the Chinese government plays mind games via the media, it is Chinese citizens who are suffering.

Many people have been seen stockpiling salt, mistakenly believing it can protect them from radiative water. Some restaurants have even capitalised on this hysteria by offering “anti-radiation” meals, despite lacking scientific credibility.

The backlash is also affecting Japan’s economy, with China, its largest buyer of seafood, banning all aquatic imports from the country. Japanese authorities are now grappling with economic consequences and working to support their fish industry.

While scientific consensus suggests minimal harm, the issue remains contentious. Not surprising, considering it’s been just 12 years since the infamous Fukushima nuclear disaster.

That being said, fear and misinformation is the real threat here. Don’t believe everything you read, especially when it comes to state-funded news reports without any scientific backing.

[source:bbc]