Japan insists release of Fukushima ‘treated’ water is safe
Almost 12 years have passed since the strongest earthquake in Japan’s recorded history resulted in a tsunami that killed more than 18,000 people along its north-east coast. As the country prepares to mark the March 11
Transparency has eased Fukushima water concerns: Panuelo
Micronesian President David Panuelo said Friday that Japan’s “transparency” over its intention to release treated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean has helped ease the Pacific
Solomon Islands ratifies Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
Solomon Islands has ratified the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) last Friday, 20 January 2023 – the 14th Pacific Island nation to join. The ratification was marked with a ceremony at United
Japan offers to meet Pacific leaders over ocean dumping plan
A month away from the expected discharge of treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean, Japan has offered to meet a high-level delegation from the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in its attempt to assure that the
Japan eyes delay of Fukushima plant water release
Japan has revised the timing of a planned release to the sea of treated but still radioactive wastewater at the Fukushima nuclear power plant to “around spring or summer,” indicating a delay from the initial target
Opinion: Japan must work with the Pacific to find a solution to the Fukushima water release issue – otherwise we face disaster
Over the past 20 months, Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) members have been in dialogue with the government of Japan on its proposed plans to release over a million tonnes of contaminated nuclear wastewater into
Scientists challenge Japan ocean dumping plan
In early 2023, Japan plans to begin dumping 1.3 million tonnes of treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear reactor into the Pacific Ocean. Fiercely opposed by local fishermen, seaweed farmers and
Fukushima and Fish
Time stands still in the Pacific - it's what attracts tourists. But in December 2022, the clock is ticking towards Japan's planned release of more than 1.2 million tonnes of radioactive cooling water into the Pacific
Impact of Japan’s wastewater plan will be ‘devastating’: Moss-Christian
The newly appointed executive director of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) tasked to take on the cause of protecting the world’s tuna stocks has raised alarm by Japan’s plan to release
Pacific nuclear legacy overshadows U.S. talks in Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands officials say they are ready to resume talks with the United States this week on renewing a long-standing economic and security deal, provided Washington addresses grievances stemming from the testing
Marshall Islands to receive UN support over nuclear legacy
The UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution Friday aimed at assisting the Marshall Islands in its efforts to secure justice for people suffering from the impact of the United States’ former nuclear testing
Major powers question Marshall Islands nuclear legacy bid
Nuclear powers have criticised an effort led by the Marshall Islands at the United Nations to seek help on dealing with the consequences of nuclear testing, sources following the talks involving countries including the
Marshall Islands takes U.S nuclear legacy to Human Rights Council
Health and environmental problems linger on decades after the United States detonated 67 nuclear bombs in the Marshall Islands. It will be the second environment-related initiative that the small island country
More sound scientific proof needed on Fukushima water: Pacific leaders
The President of the Federated States of Micronesia denounced at the United Nations last Thursday Japan’s decision to discharge what he called nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power
Construction begins at Fukushima plant for water release
The construction of facilities for the planned release of treated radioactive wastewater into the sea next year from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant began last week, despite opposition from the local fishing
Comment: Making Sense of Multi-layered Security Frameworks
Security is a priority in the region. It has been so since 1971, when the earlier version of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) – the South Pacific Forum (SPF) first met in Wellington on 5-7 August that year. At that
PIFS: Japan assures no discharge of treated wastewater if unsafe
Japan’s plans to discharge treated Fukushima nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean was the focus of discussions between Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General, Henry Puna and Japan’s Minister for
“Our ocean is not a nuclear dumpster” – USP students call for a nuclear free Pacific
Hundreds of students at the University of the South Pacific in Suva rallied to remember nuclear survivors around the region on 1 March, the anniversary of the US Bravo nuclear test on Bikini Atoll. Marching through
AUKUS disrupts “a very peaceful part of planet earth”
With anti-nuclear sentiment on the rise across the islands, the Morrison government’s nuclear submarine ambitions have undercut the prime minister’s claim to be part of the Pacific family. “The sense of a regional
Fukushima power reactor: What about risk management?
Concerns over the Fukushima power reactor persist. In early May, former Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), Dame Meg Taylor, called on Japan to reconsider its decision to release more than
IAEA to review and monitor the safety of water release at Fukushima Daiichi
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says it will play a “vital role” in monitoring and reviewing Japan’s implementation of its plan to discharge treated water stored at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear
“If it is safe, dump it in Tokyo”
Japan’s Yoshihide Suga has announced a new “Pacific bonds” policy to strengthen cooperation between Japan and Forum Island Countries, as Pacific leaders joined the Japanese Prime Minister on Friday for an online
