Key words : Kishida visit Sunday
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230819_07/
Prime Minister Kishida Fumio is reportedly planning to convene a meeting of Cabinet ministers as early as next week regarding the government's plan to start releasing treated and diluted water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean.
Kishida says he will also visit the plant on Sunday to inspect preparations for the release.
The government has started preparations to begin the water release after the meeting next week.
Multiple sources say Kishida is also calling for a meeting with senior officials of the National Federation of Fisheries Co-Operative Associations and the Fukushima Prefectural Federation of Fisheries Co-operative Associations as early as Monday.
Rain and groundwater mixes with water used to cool molten fuel at the plant. The accumulated water is treated to remove most radioactive substances, but still contains tritium.
The Japanese government plans to dilute the treated water to reduce tritium levels to about one-seventh of the World Health Organization's guidelines for drinking water quality before releasing it into the sea.
Last month, the International Atomic Energy Agency released a report saying Japan's water release plan is consistent with international safety standards.
Industry minister Nishimura Yasutoshi has continued to explain to local people the government's policy to ensure safety and take thorough steps to prevent reputational damage.
During a meeting of the preparatory committee for a review conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons that ended this month, more than 10 countries reportedly indicated their understanding and support for the effort undertaken by Japan and the IAEA about the release.
The government apparently has taken into account the situations at home and abroad in adjusting the release date.
But Japanese fishers continue to oppose the plan.
China has also expressed opposition by calling the water "contaminated." Beijing has indicated it will tighten restrictions on imports of Japanese fishery products.
The Japanese government plans to continue releasing information about the release at home and abroad.
Key words : custom seafood
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230819_03/
Customs authorities in China say the value of seafood imports from Japan plunged by about 30 percent last month from a year earlier.
A report released on Friday shows China's imports of Japanese marine products totaled about 32 million dollars in July.
Chinese authorities have increased radiation screenings of Japanese seafood in light of Tokyo's plan to release treated and diluted water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean.
But the products are now being held up at Chinese customs for longer, which negatively impacts freshness. Some Japanese restaurant operators in China are now using domestic products instead.
Japan's agriculture and fisheries ministry says seafood exports to China in 2022 totaled about 600 million dollars. That's more than the figure for any other country.
Japanese officials are finalizing the schedule to release the water from the nuclear plant. Observers fear the Chinese government could take further action.
Key words : international meeting hotline
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230819_N01/
The leaders of Japan, South Korea and the US have sat down together several times during international meetings. However, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, President Yoon Suk-yeol and President Joe Biden say they want to "face the future together." They gathered on Friday for the first time at a summit of their own to cement their partnership.
Biden welcomed his most important Asian allies to the presidential retreat at Camp David, Maryland. He has seen his guests move past historical grievances over wartime issues. He thanked them for their "political courage."
Biden said, "You stepped up to do the hard work -- I would argue, historic work -- to forge a foundation from which we can face the future together. The three of us together."
The leaders have seen China and North Korea upset order in the Indo-Pacific. They say they need to ensure that their freedoms are neither threatened nor damaged.
Yoon said, "We must make a stronger commitment to working together to address the challenges that threaten regional security."
Kishida added, "I believe that, as of today, we are indeed making a new history."
The leaders committed to having their governments coordinate responses to regional challenges. They also agreed to establish a security hotline, cooperate more on missile defense and expand joint exercises.
They promised to "institutionalize" their relationship by establishing an annual summit even after the three current leaders step down.
Key words : kishida air defense
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230819_02/
Japan's prime minister spoke with the leaders of the United States and South Korea separately on Friday ahead of their trilateral summit near Washington.
Kishida Fumio and US President Joe Biden set out plans to develop an air defense system capable of stopping some of the world's most dangerous missiles in their tracks.
Both China and North Korea are developing advanced weapons such as hypersonic missiles, which travel about five times the speed of sound.
Kishida and Biden say their countries will improve joint deterrence and response, including the co-development of a new system to intercept those missiles.
Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol agreed to maintain close bilateral communication, including a strategic dialogue between their vice foreign ministers in autumn.
Tokyo and Seoul have in recent months walked a friendlier path.
Yoon said the trilateral summit did not cover the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in northeastern Japan. Tokyo plans to release treated and diluted water from the facility into the ocean.
Speaking to reporters, the South Korean leader called for a transparent approach based on science.
Key words : china hold air
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230819_10/
China's military says it will hold air and sea patrols and military exercises around Taiwan. This is an apparent response to Taiwan Vice President Lai Ching-te's recent stopovers in the US on his way to and from Paraguay.
The People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater Command announced on Saturday the joint patrols and drills by its navy and air force are meant to boost the coordination of military vessels and test their combat capabilities. The command covers the East China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.
It has not provided further details but said the patrols and exercises are a serious warning against "Taiwan independence separatist" forces colluding with external forces.
Lai made a brief stop in New York on his way to South America to attend the inauguration of Paraguay's new president. He also made a stop in San Francisco on his way back.
In April, China conducted military drills around Taiwan after President Tsai Ing-wen met US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in the US.
Taiwan's defense ministry strongly condemned China's move on Saturday, saying it would dispatch appropriate forces in response.
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