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This paper investigates the relationship between political constraint and investor perception of policy risk using an analysis of the reaction of Australian and Canadian uranium company stocks to the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011. Our dataset traces 933 projects of 322 uranium firms located across 36 countries and posits a U-shaped relationship between political constraint and investor perceptions of policy risk. Using an event study methodology as applied to the natural quasi-experiment arising from the event, we link heterogeneous changes in stock returns to the policy risk in the uranium project locations of the firms. The results corroborate the expected relationship and hold even after we control for home-country bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polarization surrounding nuclear power has intensified in Korea following the 2011 Fukushima disaster. In 2017, President Moon Jae-in implemented an energy policy that shifted the focus from nuclear to renewable energy, a departure from previous governments’ approaches. Additionally, Moon administration supported various participatory governance initiatives to minimize social conflicts, including participatory deliberative polls concerning the construction of the Shin-Kori nuclear power plants. However, the Moon administration’s policy was followed by polarization between nuclear and renewable energy factions escalating toward the end of the term. We employed mixed-method approaches combining media and survey analyses to investigate this issue. The results demonstrate that, despite initially appearing to be policy neutral, renewable energy alternatives underwent polarization under the Moon administration. We emphasize the need to investigate effective strategies for utilizing participatory projects as tools to break, rather than reinforce, the political gridlock impeding energy transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In March 2011, a powerful earthquake off the east coast of Japan triggered a tsunami leading to a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. A consequence of this accident was the accumulation of contaminated wastewater at the nuclear power plant. Japan's announcement that, following treatment, this wastewater would be released into the ocean over a 30-year period from 2023 raised environmental concerns. This article provides background context to this issue, briefly notes how certain environmental instruments are not applicable, before discussing the potential relevance of the international law of the sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For most of human history, dumping of waste was out of sight and out of mind. The London Convention and its 1996 Protocol forms part of a wider network of instruments under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea that seek to protect and preserve the marine environment. This regime has come under pressure from new activities, as well as from developments in other areas of law. This paper provides some reflections on the key challenges facing the London Convention regime in terms of its jurisdictional reach and liability mechanisms. Whilst the regime responded to new forms of dumping, questions remain about how it can be used to respond to situations like the Fukushima incident and whether monitoring and reporting of dumping is effective. Perhaps more challenging is the lack of progress in developing an effective liability regime comparable to other harmful activities like oil pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CEA has manufactured a series of Fukushima Daiichi fuel debris simulants, either with depleted uranium oxide or with hafnium oxide as a surrogate of UO2. In ex-vessel compositions resulting from an interaction between corium and concrete, the oxidic phase density becomes lighter than that of the metallic phase, which segregates at the bottom. Three of these metallic phases have been mechanically cut at CEA Cadarache with handsaw and with core boring tool in FUJISAN facility. It appeared that two of these metallic blocks were extremely hard to cut (one from a fabrication with uranium oxide, the other from a simulant block) while the last one was more easily cut. The similarities and differences in metallographic analyses (SEM-EDS and XRD) of these three metal blocks will be presented and discussed. This experience provides useful learnings in view of the cutting and retrieval of fuel debris from Fukushima Daiichi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the need for curriculum development to prepare medical students and residents for mass casualty incidents involving radiation or nuclear disasters. It acknowledges the staffing shortages experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic and suggests recruiting medical students to help manage COVID-19 patients. The article emphasizes the importance of training medical students to provide care in emergency situations and proposes the development of curricula at different levels of education. It addresses challenges and concerns related to healthcare workers' willingness to respond to radiological incidents, such as fear and lack of knowledge about radiation. The text proposes a curriculum integrated into medical school or residency programs, including training by subject matter experts, lectures, group activities, and simulations. It mentions existing resources for curriculum development, such as the Department of Energy's Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site. The article suggests that medical students and residents can be trained to assist in various aspects of emergency response, including triage, diagnosis, and treatment of radiation injuries. It emphasizes the importance of incorporating this training into the medical curriculum to ensure an adequate number of healthcare workers in the event of an incident. The availability of online resources and partnerships with organizations like the Radiation Injury Treatment Network and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are also highlighted as support for training efforts. [Extracted from the article]

The release of nuclear wastewater by Japan has generated strong opposition from Japanese citizens, governments of neighboring countries, and global environmental advocates. China, representing the concerns of neighboring countries, has underscored the illicit and detrimental nature of this action. This study explores the metaphors employed in Chinese media regarding the discharge of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water. Based on the self-built corpus, we reveal the rhetorical motives underlying the metaphors, drawing on the framework of critical metaphor analysis. The study centers on two major metaphors – war and liar metaphors – in the discourse of two Chinese official media, China Daily and People's Daily Online. It is found that according to Chinese media, initiating and protesting the discharge of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water is a war; and that the Japanese government and TEPCO are liars. The metaphor choices reflect China's stance of opposition and condemnation against the discharge and its intention of uncovering deceptive and misleading information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Broken Arrows; nuclear weapons; accidents; safety; command and control; close call EN Broken Arrows nuclear weapons accidents safety command and control close call 148 154 7 05/16/23 20230501 NES 230501 In the world of accidents, close calls, and near-misses, perhaps nothing is more chilling than incidents involving nuclear weapons. So, to answer your question, the US Defense Department uses "Broken Arrow" to mean a nuclear accident with a US weapon that caused the unauthorized launch or jettisoning of a nuclear weapon, a fire, an explosion, a radioactive release, or a full-scale detonation. More important, the large number of close calls and near-misses shows that no system for safeguarding nuclear weapons can ever be 100-percent effective - meaning that the United States (and other nuclear weapons nations, which have Broken Arrows of their own) can never completely eliminate the potential for catastrophic nuclear error. B Schlosser: b Right, we're not talking about close calls or near-misses with Russian weapons, British weapons, French weapons, or what might have happened with weapons in India, Pakistan, North Korea, China... Worldwide, we have no idea how many nuclear-weapon accidents have occurred. [Extracted from the article]

Before the Fukushima disaster unfolded in 2011, Japanese government and energy company officials were aware of the warning signs and risks of a potential crisis at the reactor site. They failed to use safety mechanisms or update regulations over time to address the vulnerabilities of the power plants. Because interest groups had led the public to believe the power plants were completely safe, the plants were run with little accountability. Following this disaster, Japan established a new nuclear regulatory commission and nuclear regulatory authority in and implemented new regulatory mechanisms. These efforts have been limited, however, and have shifted the issue from regulation to implementation. The enormous cost of meeting new safety protocols has created new barriers for restarting the power plants under updated regulations, but the energy demands of the country will remain. The tension between managing operational risks and meeting public energy needs will test the public and private sectors' ability to sufficiently revamp the nuclear industry and prevent crises in years to come. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently declassified material and other information that has never before appeared in the public domain allow the authors to explain some of the workings of the Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST)—often one of the first units to respond whenever there is a nuclear incident, whether it involves a nuclear reactor or a nuclear weapon. Long the subject of mystique, NEST is often depicted on screen as a secretive government unit with highly specialized capabilities and harrowing missions. The reality is at once more mundane and more remarkable. Formed in the 1970s in response to a spate of nuclear blackmail attempts, NEST has been at the center of every major nuclear event from the accident at Three Mile Island to the disaster at Fukushima. Other operations, unknown to the public, are described here for perhaps the first time. Historical accounts provide a glimpse into the breadth of the organization's missions, from neutralizing terrorist nuclear devices to responding to nuclear reactor accidents. The diversity of NEST's missions and the uniqueness of its scientific capabilities set the unit apart as a national asset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The events of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan have garnered global concern. Despite nuclear power plants addressing numerous energy challenges, they poses substantial risks to environmental safety. The global legal basis to fulfill due regard obligations toward nuclear wastewater discharge involves international nuclear energy and marine environmental protection laws. There is substantive scope of due regard obligations toward nuclear wastewater discharge, including fulfilling international duties, prohibiting marine environmental pollution, preventing transboundary harm, and ensuring procedural obligations. The procedural obligations encompass timely notification of nuclear pollution, scientific assessment, and active consultation and cooperation with the international community. As there are still numerous obstacles to the application of due regard in the discharge of nuclear wastewater, the international marine environment frequently suffers from nuclear pollution. Considering the potential for transboundary environmental harm owing to the discharge of nuclear wastewater, this paper proposes effective solutions to this issue from the perspective of sustainable development of the marine environment. These solutions include formulating specific normative guidelines, clarifying liability for paying transboundary harm compensation, developing unified international assessment standards, and establishing an international platform for mandatory cooperation. Such solutions reinforce the national responsibility of all countries to actively fulfill their due regard obligations and effectively resolve the issue of potential irreversible damage to the marine environment. Additionally, the paper provides suggestions regarding how the international community can address the issue of Japan's nuclear wastewater discharge and other similar issues that may arise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to examine the support needs of women who migrated to Fukushima Prefecture after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. In recent years, the presence of migrants has become an important part of the government's reconstruction policy for affected areas. However, there is insufficient research on the status of migrants in these areas, and it is unclear what kind of support the migrants, especially females, require to encourage further migration to the area. We conducted three semi-structured interviews each with four women who had migrated to Fukushima after the accident. The narratives obtained from the interviews were summarized into categories through open coding and were finally presented as support needs in the form of a four-quadrant diagram. Four needs were identified for female migrants in areas affected by the radiation disaster: "soft adaptation needs," "lifestyle constancy needs," "female empowerment needs," and "community participation needs." Female migrants in the affected areas may be marginalized in terms of receiving migrant support. Key strategies for supporting female migrants in radiation disaster areas include providing an environment in which they can relax, interact with Fukushima and its residents, and address intersectionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Anthropocene denotes an era of accelerated human impact on the environment. Although discourses of the Anthropocene are often criticized for representing colonial and specifically capitalist interests of economic growth, this paper examines, in the case of Ukraine, how these discourses can be applied to uncover and address social (post)colonial impacts of non-capitalist regimes (those also not classified as "Global North"). In particular, the analysis focuses on the aftermath of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear plant accident on local communities in Ukraine. As academics of Ukrainian background, authors share their first-hand experiences of such impact on their lives and wellbeing of their families, communities, and land. The narrative research framework is used to engage with the modern Ukrainian community and discuss the implications of geopolitical and cultural proximity of the coloniser, with a particular focus on displacement and forced migration. This is especially relevant as it is reflected in the current refugee crisis and tactics of nuclear terrorism used by the Russian government in the war against Ukraine. This paper is a valuable resource for promoting and giving a voice to the Ukrainian people and potentially other peoples in post-Soviet space to unveil their colonial legacy and utilise the discourses of the Anthropocene to aid more effective decolonisation processes in the future of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nuclear accidents, such as the Fukushima nuclear accident, have highlighted the necessity for accident‐tolerant fuel (ATF) cladding. Previous studies focused on coating the outside of Zr alloy currently used in nuclear reactors with an oxidation‐resistant material in a vacuum environment. This limits the coating to the inside of the cladding and does not tend to achieve a uniform coating on meter scale cladding. In this study, a room temperature and non‐vacuum‐based swaging–drawing process was demonstrated as an alternative cladding manufacturing process. It enables both the inner and outer sides of the 2‐m‐long Zr alloy cladding to be uniformly covered with a 100‐μm‐thick corrosion‐resistant material (316‐L stainless steel; SS316L), thereby minimizing its high‐temperature oxidation and avoiding failures. After the swaging–drawing process, there was a gap of less than 1 µm between outer SS316L and Zr alloy and a gap of about 12 µm between inner Zr alloy and SS316L. The high‐temperature oxidation properties of the resulting triplex Gachon ATF cladding tube (G‐tube) were evaluated up to 1,200°C in an atmospheric environment. Following heat treatment at 1,200°C, the control cladding completely oxidized and ruptured, potentially causing leakage of radioactive material during application. In contrast, only 15% of the G‐tube cladding manufactured by the swaging–drawing process was oxidized despite a gap, and the Zr alloy of the G‐tube changed phase from α‐Zr to α‐Zr (O) and prior β‐Zr. The cladding microstructure, oxide layer, and oxidation mechanism were analyzed through microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. As a result, it was confirmed that SS316L completely prevented oxygen diffusion into the bulk Zr alloy. In addition, there was no elemental diffusion between SS316L and the Zr alloy. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using room temperature, nonvacuum environment‐based swaging–drawing process to fabricate structurally stable ATF cladding at extremely high temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People's perceptions concerning radiation inform decision making in relation to nuclear power production. There have been extensive studies of people's perceptions of radiation including in relation to the Fukushima and Chernobyl nuclear events. This paper reports on a social science literature review study and is concerned with public responses to low dose radiation (LDR) and nuclear facilities, particularly in the marine environment. This review confirms that people with little knowledge about radiation have the highest risk perceptions in relation to nuclear power; conversely people with a broader knowledge have lower risk perceptions and are more favourable to nuclear power. Education can increase positive perceptions, but the influence of underlying experience of feeling, emotion, attachment, or mood may dampen this effect. This paper reports studies which document anxiety within the Japanese community in relation to the Fukushima nuclear accident. Literature concerning specific radionuclides released is described. While there are uncertainties about the presence of health impacts following LDR exposures, public attitudes are not in line. There is a need for better dialogue between nuclear professionals and scientists to achieve better nuclear education and public communication outcomes; more specific communication surrounding multi-isotopes, and multi-elements of nuclear power plant disaster releases is warranted. Trusted communicators should include nuclear and social scientists as well as regulators. Given the importance of decarbonization in the context of climate change, this is increasingly important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

State governance after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident created a culture of silence and tolerance surrounding radiation risk, and deliberately fueled the popular understanding that acting upon radiation-related concern was antithetical to national and regional economic recovery. Outright denial of danger by Japanese leaders, paired with loosened safety standards and limited state support for affected residents by way of guidance and compensation, led to a privatization of radiation risk management that placed responsibility for exposure reduction onto families while also constraining their action. Drawing on in-depth interviews and participant observation, this article explores how such dynamics fell most heavily on concerned mothers, who were far more likely to take on this additional realm of domestic labor and care work due to deeply ingrained norms of gendered labor and citizenship. Yet such maternal labor was not lauded as a valuable social contribution. Rather, concerned mothers found themselves in a double bind in which to care for their families through vigilant avoidance of potential risk was to betray the state. Risk mitigation came to require a significant amount of emotion work associated with not appearing overly anxious or paranoid, constantly assessing the risk perception of others, and at times suppressing concern and compromising on risk tolerance. The results of this study suggest that neoliberal models of environmental risk management, particularly in moments of high uncertainty surrounding the risk in question, can not only create internal, interpersonal, and community conflict but also exacerbate existing gender inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of the systematic review was to synthesize literature on eating disorders (ED) and non-interpersonal traumatic events (NTE) and consolidate the reported prevalence of NTE in patients with an ED. Methods: The literature search was performed in Embase, PsycInfo, and PubMed. The keywords in the search were "eating disorder," "trauma" and "noninterpersonal," using index-terms and free-search keywords related to NTE and ED. The PRISMA guidelines were followed. Relevant studies were screened using Rayyan. Results: Of the 16 studies included in the quantitative synthesis, five overall types of NTE were identified: accidents, illness, injury, natural disaster and war. Findings provided tentative evidence for illness and injury being more prevalent in patients suffering from an ED compared to controls. The remaining subtypes of NTE did not show a higher prevalence in patients with an ED when compared to controls. Findings also suggest that those with binge/purge subtype of anorexia nervosa (AN) had a higher prevalence of non-interpersonal traumatic events compared to the restrictive subtype of AN. Discussion: This systematic review provided a clear synthesis of previous findings related to NTE among patients with an ED. Noteworthy, is that many studies do not take into account if the trauma happened prior or after to ED onset, which may affect the association. Furthermore, the body of research on NTE in patients with ED is exceedingly limited, and more research is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For all the nuclear reactor systems, quantitative assessment of the accident management (AM) effects against long-term external hazards became one of the essential issues after the lesson learned from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. However, the influence from the safety systems' stochastic and dynamic shifting between multiple working states, which is related to the interaction with the adjacent components/systems in general, has not been accounted for yet. Therefore, this research aims to develop a dynamic probability risk assessment tool considering repairable multi-component interdependency for investigating the AM influences on the multi-state safety systems under long-term external hazards. Based on the newly proposed methodology in this research via integrating the Petri net (PN) model with the continuous Markov chain Monte Carlo (CMMC) method, a framework applying PN-CMMC methodology to a severe accident analysis code, SPECTRA, had been originally constructed. Different AM influences on the multi-state decay heat removal systems against long-term volcanic ashfall were also quantitatively confirmed, indicating that halving the repairing time is more influential in suppressing the core damage frequency than doubling the number of adjacent electricity support systems. Therefore, the PN-CMMC-SPECTRA framework can further assess the uncharted dynamic multi-state concerns, leading to a safer AM strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-energy beta-ray sources generate bremsstrahlung photons in the building materials, generated by the radioactive nuclides inside the nuclear reactor buildings emitted by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor accident. Therefore, evaluating the bremsstrahlung dose subjected to the workers in the building is crucial for radiation protection. The precision for assessing the bremsstrahlung dose was investigated by comparing the Particle and Heavy Ion Transport code System (PHITS) and the GEometry ANd Tracking (GEANT4) simulation code results. Behind various shielding plates (lead, copper, aluminum, glass, and polyethylene with multiple thicknesses), the water cylinder was set to obtain the absorbed dose and the deposited energy spectrum by the bremsstrahlung photons. In comparing the deposited energy spectrum, the spectral shapes have consistent trends. Below several tens of keV, a peak is observed in the PHITS spectrum for lead. While comparing the absorbed dose, most of the results from both codes correlate within an ~10% difference for 2.280 MeV beta-ray sources and an ~20% difference for 0.5459 MeV beta-ray sources, except for ~30% for 20 mm thick lead. Although some differences occurred, the evaluation results of both codes correlated well with the above precision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the severe accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in 2011, the revised nuclear safety regulation in Japan requires continuous safety improvement and states that PRA methods that reflect the latest knowledge should be used in activities related to continuous safety improvement. In this context, the construction of PRA models for the digital RPS (DRPS) has been addressed as an important issue within the Working Group on Risk Assessment (WGRISK) of the OECD/NEA, and several studies have been conducted. And there are challenges in aligning them with the conventional probabilistic risk assessment methodology. In a previous study, the authors developed a simultaneous differential equation describing the relationship between state transitions and state probabilities based on Markov state transition diagrams to calculate them numerically. However, the analytical method for uncertainty analysis commonly used in conventional PRA evaluations is not explicitly presented. The purpose of this study is to provide a methodology for more accurate evaluation of core damage frequency in nuclear power plants equipped with digital RPS, taking into account the uncertainties, and to contribute to the continuous improvement of safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For over 12 years since the 2011 East Japan Earthquake, the decontamination of radioactive materials is still incomplete. Although evacuation orders had been lifted in ~15% of Futaba town, the site of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, by August 2022, anxiety regarding the effects of nuclear radiation persists among evacuees, and their intention to return (ITR) remains low. As of August 2023, only 90 residents lived there. As the only town with government functions relocated outside Fukushima Prefecture, Futaba has more residents who evacuated outside the prefecture. Although numerous factors affect risk perception and ITR to the place of previous residence, the impact of evacuation destination on risk perception remains unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of evacuation destination on radiation risk perception. In 2022, a survey was conducted on 404 evacuees aged >18 years. The responses were compared between groups outside and inside Fukushima using the chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Significant relationships were found between the evacuation destination and risk perception of genetic effects in the next generation (odds ratio [OR] = 1.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15–3.20) and of the health effects of radiation (OR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.10–2.84), which were both higher in those who had evacuated outside Fukushima. These findings stress the importance of evacuation destination choice and information access for evacuees' risk perception. Enhanced education and support efforts are necessary to help evacuees not only in Fukushima but also throughout Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the Weather Research and Forecasting Model Coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) atmospheric chemistry model, a parameterization scheme for the radioactive isotope caesium (137Cs), considering processes such as advection, turbulent diffusion, dry deposition, and wet deposition, was constructed, enabling the spatial distribution simulation of the concentration and deposition of 137Cs. The experimental simulation studies were carried out during the high emission period of the Fukushima nuclear accident (from 11 to 17 March 2011). Two sets of comparison experiments, with or without deposition, were designed, the effects of wind field and precipitation on the spatial transport and ground deposition of 137Cs were analyzed, and the influence of wind field and precipitation on 137Cs vertical transport was analyzed in detail. The results indicate that the model can accurately simulate the meteorological and 137Cs variables. On 15 March, 137Cs dispersed towards the Kanto Plain in Japan under the influence of northeastern winds. In comparison to the experiment without deposition, the concentration of 137Cs in the Fukushima area decreased by approximately 286 Bq·m−3 in the deposition experiment. Under the influence of updrafts in the non-deposition experiment, a 137Cs cloud spread upward to a maximum height of 6 km, whereas in the deposition experiment, the highest dispersion of the 137Cs cloud only reach a height of 4 km. Affected by the wind field, dry deposition is mainly distributed in Fukushima, the Kanto Plain, and their eastern ocean areas, with a maximum dry deposition of 5004.5 kBq·m−2. Wet deposition is mainly influenced by the wind field and precipitation, distributed in the surrounding areas of Fukushima, with a maximum wet deposition of 725.3 kBq·m−2. The single-station test results from the deposition experiment were better than those for the non-deposition experiment: the percentage deviations of the Tokyo, Chiba, Maebashi, and Naraha stations decreased by 61%, 69%, 46%, and 51%, respectively, and the percentage root mean square error decreased by 46%, 25%, 38%, and 48%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mathematical method of combining several elements has emerged in recent times, providing a more comprehensive approach. Adhering to the foregoing mathematical methodology, we fuse two extremely potent methods, namely graph theory and neutrosophic sets, and present the concept of neutrosophic graphs ( ℵ G ). Next, we outline many ideas, such as union, join, and composition of ℵ G s, which facilitate the straightforward manipulation of ℵ G s in decision-making scenarios. We provide a few scenarios to clarify these activities. The homomorphisms of ℵ G s are also described. Lastly, understanding neutrosophic graphs and how Japan responds to earthquakes can help develop more resilient and adaptable disaster management plans, which can eventually save lives and lessen the effects of seismic disasters. With the support of using an absolute score function value, Hokkaido (H) and Saitama (SA) were the optimized locations. Because of its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire, Japan is vulnerable to regular earthquakes. As such, it is critical to customize reaction plans to the unique difficulties and features of Japan's seismic activity. Examining neutrosophic graphs within the framework of earthquake response centers might offer valuable perspectives on tailoring and enhancing response tactics, particularly for Japan's requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study developed methodologies for rapid screening and analysis of numerous biological samples following a radiation accident. A measurement system was established to determine the presence of internal contamination promptly. Smear screening method could distinguish contaminated patients by setting a 20% buffer zone. Gross alpha and gross beta screening method could distinguish contaminated patients by setting limit of detection (0.70, 393 cpm). Smear screening, gross alpha screening, and gross beta screening methodologies are expected to detect internal contamination quickly. While effective for screening, these methods were unsuitable for precise analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines Internet Connectedness and civic engagement in post-disaster Fukushima, Japan. Internet Connectedness encompasses the post-access digital divide, conceptualized through intensity, activity scope, centrality, and place scope. Guided by communication infrastructure theory, structural equation modeling results indicate that individuals who engage in broader types of online activities and perceive the Internet as more central had stronger connections to their online neighborhood storytelling network (online ICSN). Higher online ICSN and a broader Internet activity scope led to increased civic engagement on social media, subsequently positively affecting offline civic engagement. The study results offer specific measures and guidelines for narrowing the digital divide and fostering residents’ community engagement, which are likely to play essential roles in disaster preparedness and resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the severe accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, there has been an interest in the properties of oxide fuels in their near-melting temperature range. X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) is an effective method for understanding the fine structure and chemical bonding state of a sample; however, high-temperature XAFS measurements performed to date have been limited to 2000 K. We have developed a method for XAFS measurements of high-melting oxides above 2000 K. This method utilizes resistance heating of tungsten and confines the sample within a 0.06 mm slit to enable transmission-type XAFS measurements. We successfully performed an XAFS test with yttria-stabilized zirconia loaded at the tip of the slit and heated to 3000 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I examine details of the ecological violence of war in Ruth Ozeki’s novel A Tale for the Time Being, positing that these seemingly peripheral details underscore the significant role of military imperialism in perpetuating environmental destruction, speciesism, and racist violence on indigenous people. During the Pacific War, pilots stationed in the Aleutian Islands use whales as bombing targets, exemplifying an anthropocentric perspective that regards non-human animals merely as instruments for human purposes. Ozeki demonstrates that through a cross-species collaboration between Callie and the whales, people formally ignorant of their violence on animals can be made to care about animals. In addition, both the Aleutian Islands and Okinawa are marked by militarized violence on both the indigenous people and the landscape. The environmental damage caused by military actions in World War II extends beyond the immediate impacts of combat. The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster should be understood as a direct outcome of the nuclear industry established during World War II. Through depictions of the propaganda on nuclear energy, the massive displacement of local people after the nuclear fallout, and the uncontainable, far-reaching consequences of radiation contamination, Ruth Ozeki alerts readers to the destructive capabilities that both nuclear energy and nuclear weapons possess. Moreover, Ozeki’s choice of Canada as the victim of radiation from Japan should not be seen as reinforcing the image of a “safe” Canada; instead it critiques Canada’s role in global imperialism by revealing Canada’s supply of uranium to the Manhattan Project and its continuous supply of oil to the US military [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident in 2011, the performance of nuclear fuel during accidents became a matter of great concern. To address this, a new type of fuel technology called accident-tolerant fuel (ATF) has been developed with the goal of enhancing the ability of light water reactors (LWRs) to withstand severe accident conditions. Iron-based alloys have been suggested as potential candidates for fuel cladding due to their favourable thermomechanical properties, lower reactivity with steam, and lower hydrogen generation. This study evaluates the neutronic performance of C26M (a 2nd generation nuclear grade FeCrAl alloy), APMT™, 310SS, and 304SS cladding materials by comparing them with Zircaloy-4 cladding in a 3D PWR core at the beginning of the cycle (BOC) using OpenMC code. The results revealed that the neutronic penalty varied for different alternative cladding materials where C26M exhibited the lowest neutronic penalty value of -12551 pcm, while 310SS demonstrated the highest with a value of -17855 pcm. Additionally, important parameters in the reactor core such as neutron spectrum, reactivity coefficients, boron worth, control rod bank worth, power distribution, and radial thermal neutron flux distribution are evaluated and discussed. The analysis results showed that C26M provided a significantly higher level of neutronic performance compared to APMT™, 304SS, and 310SS. Although this study primarily focused on the neutronic performance of PWRs at BOC, future research should encompass fuel depletion analysis to delve deeper into the potential of alternative cladding materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biological concentration effect of radionuclides in marine fish has exacerbated public anxiety about seafood security in the context of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water discharged into the ocean. However, the most polluted port near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) has seldom been investigated, especially for radioactivity in marine fish. In this study, decadal observations of radiocesium in marine fish and seawater from the most polluted port were simultaneously established after the Fukushima Nuclear Accident. We found a generally decreasing trend of historical 137Cs activity in seawater, with seasonal variations modulated by precipitation. Seasonal variations were elucidated with finer detail and divided into exponential decline in the dry season and steady variation in the wet season. A novel method was proposed to estimate the continuing source term of 137Cs derived from the FDNPP, which was 3.9 PBq in 2011 and 19.3 TBq between 2012 and 2022 on the basis of historical 137Cs. The biological concentration effect of marine fish is quantitatively emphasized according to the higher ratio of overstandards for radiocesium in marine fish relative to that in seawater. Long-term observation and analysis of radiocesium in marine fish and seawater from the most polluted port would provide insights into the scientific evaluation of the effectiveness of the decommissioning of the FDNPP in the past and share lessons on the fate of Fukushima-derived radionuclides in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the continuous increase in carbon dioxide emissions due to human activities and the resulting severe climate issues, there is global concern about energy conservation and emission reduction. However, detailed data on energy consumption and emissions at a fine-grained scale, particularly regarding spatial dimensions and sector-specific emissions, remains insufficient and in need of refinement and timely updates. In Japan, following the Fukushima nuclear disaster, there has been a significant shift from nuclear power generation to reliance on fossil fuels across various sectors, highlighting disparities in emissions data across different regions and industries. Our work extends the emissions time series for Japan's 47 prefectures, incorporating their socioeconomic characteristics over a broader time frame and with a more detailed sectoral classification. The emissions inventory, covering the period from 1990 to 2020, is based on the consumption of the three main fossil fuels across 32 sectors, with emissions carefully allocated for regional power generation. This dataset, presented in a unified format, is expanded to include longer time scales and more detailed socioeconomic data. It is anticipated to offer crucial insights for establishing regional emission reduction targets and identifying sectoral priorities for decarbonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As North Korea emphasized its "second mission," the reunification of the two Koreas, with its nuclear weapons, South Korea has been mobilizing all potential resources to deter North Korea's attempt. Indeed, it rapidly improved its relations with Japan as well as strengthened the U.S. extended deterrence through the "Washington Declaration" in early 2023. The United States, South Korea, and Japan even initiated their trilateral summit meeting to discuss their combined deterrence posture against North Korea. This article evaluates South Korea's current nuclear preparedness, including preemptive/preventive strikes, missile defense, and civil defense, identifies weaknesses, and analyzes whether Japan can mitigate the weakness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the impacts of the Fukushima disaster was the shutdown of all nuclear power plants in Japan, reaching zero production in 2015. In response, the country started importing more fossil energy including coal, oil, and natural gas to fill the energy gap. However, this led to a significant increase in carbon emissions, hindering the efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. In the current situation, Japan is actively working to balance its energy requirements with environmental considerations, including the utilization of hydrogen fuel. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the feasibility and implications of using hydrogen power plants as a means to reduce emissions, and this analysis will be conducted using the energy modeling of the MARKAL-TIMES Japan framework. The hydrogen scenario (HS) is assumed with the extensive integration of hydrogen into the power generation sector, supported by a hydrogen import scheme. Additionally, this scenario will be compared with the Business as Usual (BAU) scenario. The results showed that the generation capacities of the BAU and HS scenarios have significantly different primary energy supplies. The BAU scenario is highly dependent on fossil fuels, while the HS scenario integrates hydrogen contribution along with an increase in renewable energy, reaching a peak contribution of 2,160 PJ in 2050. In the HS scenario, the target of reducing CO2 emissions by 80% is achieved through significant hydrogen penetration. By 2050, the total CO2 emissions are estimated to be 939 million tons for the BAU scenario and 261 million tons for the Hydrogen scenario. In addition, the contribution of hydrogen to electricity generation is expected to be 153 TWh, smaller than PV and wind power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article evaluates the theory of nuclear superiority-brinkmanship proposed by Matthew Kroenig, highlighting its fatal flaws through historical evidence and strategic analysis. It emphasizes the risks of reigniting an unsustainable arms race due to the US legacy of pursuing technological developments without a cohesive strategy, known as "bootstrapping." Assessing the impracticality of limited nuclear war and the importance of secure second-strike capabilities, it advocates for a modern US nuclear deterrent based on a balanced force of advanced nuclear systems, complemented by robust conventional capabilities and infrastructure. Prioritizing credible deterrence over compellence aligns with national interests and reduces the risk of unintentional nuclear conflict. Pursuing Kroenig's flawed theory, given its high costs and potential catastrophic consequences, is deemed unwise for guiding US nuclear strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to ionizing radiation, especially during childhood, is a well-established risk factor for thyroid cancer. Following the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident the total number of cases of thyroid cancer registered between 1991 and 2015 in males and females who were less than 18 years old exceeded 19,000 (in Belarus and Ukraine, and in the most contaminated oblasts of the Russian Federation). However, as indicated by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation the fraction of the incidence of thyroid cancer attributable to radiation exposure among the non-evacuated residents of the contaminated regions of Belarus, Ukraine and Russia is of the order of 0.25. Apparently, the increased registration of thyroid neoplasms in the parts of these countries is a classical 'screening effect', i.e., massive diagnostic examinations of the risk-aware populations performed with modern eqipment resulting in detection of many occult neoplasms (incidentalomas). Moreover, one type of thyroid cancer previously called 'encapsulated follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma' is non-invasive and instead of 'carcinoma' should now be recognized as 'noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features.' Other potential causes of overdiagnosing of thyroid tumors include increase of the spontaneous incidence rate of this disease with age, iodine deficiency among children from Belarus, Russia and Ukraine, and/or consumption by these children of drinking water containing high levels of nitrates that likely coincides with the carcinogenic effect of radiation on the thyroid gland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the suitability of nuclear power as an option to combat the escalating climate emergency. Summarizing and evaluating key arguments, we elucidate why nuclear power is unsuitable for addressing climate change. The primary argument centers around the unresolved technical and human risks of accidents and proliferation, which are unlikely to be effectively mitigated in the future. Furthermore, we highlight the significant cost disparities between nuclear power and other non-fossil energy sources, such as solar photovoltaics and wind power, considering levelized costs of electricity. We also address the incompatibility of nuclear power with renewable energy systems, emphasizing the need for flexibility in the face of variable solar and wind resources. Alternative reactor technologies will not be available in time to make a major contribution. Nuclear power also poses challenges in power plant operation amid climate change and war. Ultimately, we argue that other motivations should be explored to explain the continued interest in nuclear power in some countries, as energy supply arguments alone are insufficient to justify new investments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1985, British psychoanalyst Hanna Segal delivered the paper 'Silence is the Real Crime' to the first meeting of the group International Psychoanalysts Against Nuclear Weapons in Hamburg, appealing to her fellow analysts to counteract the denial of the geopolitical realities that characterized the late Cold War by intervening in public debates regarding the threat of nuclear war. A year later she gave a paper in London discussing clinical cases of patients who brought their nuclear anxieties to the couch. This article considers Segal's political and clinical writings on the psychological consequences of the atomic age, situating them in the context in which she was living, writing and practising as an analyst: 1980s Britain in a moment of 'nuclear anxiety'. I argue that Segal's anti-nuclear writings shed light on what she called the 'very very tricky' relationship between psychoanalysis and politics. Segal confronted the tension between maintaining clinical neutrality in the consulting room while publicly expressing her political commitments, wrestling with the complex relationships between individuals and the societies in which they live. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the nuclear materials community has been vastly investing in accident tolerant fuel (ATF) concepts to modify/replace Zircaloy cladding material. Iron–chromium–aluminum (FeCrAl) alloys are one of the leading contenders in this race. In this study, we investigated FA-SMT (or APMT-2), PM-C26M, and Fe17Cr5.5Al over a time period of 6 months in simulated BWR environments and compared their performance with standard Zirc-2 and SS316 materials. Our results implied that water chemistry along with alloy chemistry has a profound effect on the corrosion rate of FeCrAl alloys. Apart from SS316 and Zirc-2 tube specimens, all FeCrAl alloys showed a mass loss in hydrogen water chemistry (HWC). FA-SMT displayed minimal mass loss compared to PM-C26M and Fe17Cr5.5Al because of its higher Cr content. The mass gain of FeCrAl alloys in normal water chemistry (NWC) is significantly less when compared to Zirc-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essence of Russian security policy is composed of the combined use of conventional and unconventional threats in both war and peacetime. Russia aims to dominate the process of escalation especially by frequently threatening nuclear war in Ukraine. It attempts to maintain the strategic initiative superiority, forcing its enemies to act under its control. Put differently, through the means of manipulating the fear of nuclear war in Ukraine, it tries to avert other states from directly intervening in the battlefield and to prevent military aid delivered to its enemies from becoming strategic. Methodologically, this article examines Russia's effort to gain dominance in escalating tensions through nuclear risk as a case study. The nuclear risk hinges on the uncertainty of nuclear deterrence. The nuances of this often-ignored uncertainty are explained in this article. Since such a uncertainty poses credible risk of nuclear war, absolute victory is not possible. No party will get everything it wants; therefore, the only solution is diplomatic compromise through negotiation. The importance and implications of this article lie in the fact that the problems and warnings examined here are likely not only in Ukraine but also in a possible future crisis over Taiwan or future conflicts involving nuclear powers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution of the ambient dose equivalent rate (i.e., air dose rate) after a nuclear disaster is crucial for zoning contaminated areas to facilitate authorities' effective decision making. Several countries are considering a gradual characterization strategy where airborne measurement is performed first followed by ground measurement (i.e., via manborne or carborne surveys). Nonetheless, potential differences might emerge in country-specific air dose rate assessment methods. Explaining these discrepancies can improve and converge existing methodologies. The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) and the French Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN), which are organizations involved in post-nuclear accident crisis management, jointly performed air dose rate measurements in 2019 at contaminated sites around the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The similarities and differences between the two organizations' methods and results were quantitatively assessed by comparing the average air dose rates obtained within a grid created with a geographic information system, and the reasons for the differences between the organizations' results were investigated. The air dose rates obtained by the manborne measurements varied depending on the calibration method. Comparing the air dose rate assessment methods and mapping techniques used in different countries will contribute to developing international guidelines for recommending the best method for determining air dose rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to examine the lessons learned till mid-2023 from the war in Ukraine to find out how attacking or seizing nuclear power plants (NPPs) can be utilised to advance military and political objectives during an armed conflict. The qualitative research approach has been applied to the study, focusing on an analysis of academic research and relevant acts of international law. In order to examine Russia’s approach to the attacks against the Chernobyl and Zaporizhzhia NPPs, numerous reports, official statements by the authorities, press releases, and Internet sources have been analysed. For evaluation of nuclear security and safety standards in Ukraine, the “seven pillars” model proposed by the International Atomic Energy Agency has been adopted. The study indicates that strategically located NPPs can be used as “nuclear shields” for the occupying forces deployed at the plant or nearby. They may also become useful tools of “lawfare” waged with the use of flawed interpretations of international humanitarian law. Finally, nuclear security-related narrations analysed in the paper clearly prove that seized NPPs can be effectively used in information warfare. The research leads to the conclusion that civil NPPs in war zones can be weaponised and exploited by the hostile forces not only for impeding energy supplies (and thus shattering the public morale of the adversary) but also for blackmailing and coercing the decisionmakers of the attacked state and their international allies with a vision of man-made nuclear disaster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the relationship between the radioactive cesium (Cs) concentration in muscle of Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus and the species' biological characteristics (size, sex, and age) under conditions of ecological equilibrium (i.e., distributed among ecosystem components over sufficient time, and with nearly constant ratios of Cs concentration in organisms to the concentration in water) as existed before the accident at the Fukushima Dai‐ichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS), Japan, in 2011, we examined stable Cs, as it is thought to exist in equilibrium in the environment and behave similarly to radioactive Cs in aquatic animals. The concentration of stable Cs in 241 P. olivaceus (range 216–782 mm total length [TL]) collected in Sendai Bay, approximately 90 km north of the FDNPS, in June–July 2015 was expressed as an exponential function with size as an independent variable; the results show the concentration of stable Cs doubled with an increase in TL of 442 mm. Next, to evaluate the cause of the size‐dependent change in stable Cs concentration, we examined 909 individuals (200–770 mm TL) collected in September 2013–July 2015 to determine their feeding habit based on size. Analysis of the frequency of occurrence of prey organisms in stomach contents showed that sand lance Ammodytes japonicus (55–180 mm standard length [SL]) was the most consistently consumed across size classes. Analysis on a wet‐mass basis showed that A. japonicus and anchovy Engraulis japonicus (65–130 mm SL) were the main food of P. olivaceus sized 200–599 mm TL, whereas chub mackerel Scomber japonicus (120–230 mm SL) and two species of flatfishes (180–205 mm SL) were abundant in the diet of P. olivaceus sized ≥600 mm TL. All these prey items were presumed to have similar concentrations of stable Cs. Based on the above, the effect of diet on the relationship between stable Cs in muscle and fish size was considered negligible. That the diet of P. olivaceus largely did not change with size was also confirmed by C and N stable isotope ratios in P. olivaceus and their prey species. Therefore, the Cs–size relationship is probably determined by changes in the balance between the rate of Cs intake from food and seawater and the excretion rate during growth, both of which change as functions of body mass. Values of stable Cs concentrations among environmental components and animals appear to be a valid indicator for understanding the radioactive Cs distribution in the marine environment and aquatic animals under the equilibrium state, as existed before the 2011 nuclear accident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atomic energy has played an important role in international relations as a means of state power. From 1945 to 1959, Japan was significantly influenced by developments in atomic energy as a result of the Anglo-American "special relationship." During World War II, Britain and the United States cooperated to develop atomic weapons to use against Japan. In the ensuing Cold War era, the two countries advanced peaceful uses of atomic energy for Japan to counter the influence of the Soviet Union through psychological warfare. The U.S. Atomic Energy Peace Mission visited Japan in May 1955. However, the Japanese government altered its nuclear policy to solicit support from Britain because the United States was falling behind in atomic energy development. A British nuclear reactor was used as the first commercial nuclear power station, in 1959, whereby Britain earned parity with the United States in the context of nuclear power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Article will propose and analyze potentially prosecutable cases of alleged global ecocide and propose targeted amendments to Articles 36(3) and (5) of the ICC Rome Statute. These proposed amendments may serve as a blueprint to procedurally ensure environmental expertise at the international judicial level. Ecocide is unfortunately not currently recognized under the Rome Statute. However, certain scholars have suggested defining it as a fifth international crime. This analysis identifies environmental crises, international criminal law expectations and examines the environmental pollution caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Japanese government's decision to dispose of radioactive treated water from the wrecked Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear site as examples. These templates vindicate the Article's recommendation of a need for a Special Prosecutor for Ecocide, recognizing the ICC as the proper court for ecocide prosecution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Japanese government's unilateral decision to discharge the nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean has caused immense nuclear safety risks. Monitoring the unclearcontaminated water is a starting point to combat these risks and seek remedies for the rights and interests of all concerned parties. The establishment of a mechanism for international cooperation in this respect is necessary to handle the risks of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water and to lay the foundation of a framework for tackling any future disposal of nuclear-contaminated water following Japan's example. At present, the international legal systems in the spheres of nuclear safety and security, marine environmental protection, and other areas, as well as the questioning of the monitoring reports of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) by the relevant parties, the monitoring practices of historical nuclear accidents, and numerous radioactivity monitoring mechanisms have provided the institutional and practical basis for constructing such a mechanism. The mechanism can be promoted by the IAEA through its existing mechanisms or be jointly initiated by China, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Korea, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and the Pacific Island countries, among other stakeholders. Specifically, this mechanism should consist of three levels: first, the framework of the basic legal system, including the cooperative principles of national sovereignty, interest-relatedness, and procedural fairness, and the signing of the Framework Convention on the Monitoring of Fukushima's nuclear-contaminated water and its Optional Protocol; second, the organizational structure and its responsibilities, which may include the Conference of Parties as the decision-making body, the Secretariat as the central coordinating body, and the monitoring committees in various fields as specific implementing agencies; and third, specific administrative arrangements, which involve the standardization of monitoring, the management system of monitoring networks and stations, the rules for monitoring procedures, and the rules for the utilization of the monitoring data, etc. With the urgent need for the scientific and fair monitoring of Fukushima's nuclear-contaminated water, China, as a stakeholder country, can promote the establishment of such a mechanism for monitoring nuclear-contaminated water through the following paths: It is necessary to clarify the factors affecting the construction of an international cooperation mechanism for monitoring nuclear-contaminated water so as to ascertain the standpoints of the stakeholders, claims of their interests, contents of their cooperation, and the relevant international relations. On the basis of existing practices, China should consider improving the monitoring mechanism to cope with the risks of the discharge of Fukushima's nuclear-contaminated water by formulating targeted policies and systems, setting up specialized monitoring institutions, and establishing a systematic monitoring network system. This is an effective way for China to actively promote the participation of stakeholders in the construction of an international cooperation mechanism for monitoring nuclear-contaminated water in Fukushima by further innovating the dissemination mechanism to address the risk of Fukushima's nuclear-contaminated water discharging into the sea and facilitating the identification of issues for international cooperation in monitoring Fukushima's nuclear-contaminated water based on the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discharge of nuclear-contaminated water containing radionuclides into the ocean by Japan will lead to its integration into the entire ecosystem through processes of circulation and biomagnification, eventually entering the human body via the food chain. This poses a substantial risk of irreversible damage to both the ecosystem and human health, a situation that will worsen with the ongoing discharge of such water. The respect and protection of human rights represent an international consensus, and safeguarding fundamental human rights is a substantial obligation that states must undertake in accordance with both international and domestic law. Since the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan has continuously violated its international legal obligations to protect human rights in several areas, including the resettlement of disaster victims, the reduction of nuclear radiation levels, and the handling of contaminated water. Such actions have compromised and will continue to compromise the basic human rights of not only its citizens but also those of people worldwide, including environmental rights, the right to life, development rights, and food rights. In the aftermath of the Fukushima meltdown, the public and workers involved in handling nuclear contaminants have been continually exposed to high radiation levels, endangering their rights to life, development, and health. Japan's inadequate efforts in victim resettlement and environmental restoration have jeopardized the environmental and food rights of its citizens to live healthily and access food in an environment unaffected by nuclear radiation. The release of nuclear-contaminated water poses a risk of Japan's nuclear pollution to the people of neighboring countries and the global population at large. The principle of human rights underpins the theory of a community with a shared future for humanity, and human rights are a crucial area of China's active participation in United Nations affairs and global governance. By voicing concerns over Japan's potential human rights violations globally, China demonstrates its role as a responsible major country. In response to Japan's breach of legal obligations and human rights violations, China can adopt a reasoned and beneficial approach, including calling on the international community to hold Japan criminally accountable for crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute and advancing scholarly discussions on ecocide and crimes against the marine environment. Furthermore, China should persist in seeking advisory opinions from the International Court of Justice and strive for substantive accountability, utilizing the mechanisms of international human rights organizations to make its voice heard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The disposal of contaminated water from Japan' s Fukushima nuclear power plant is a significant international nuclear safety issue with considerable cross-border implications. This matter requires compliance not only with the law of the sea but also with the principles of nuclear safety under international law. These principles serve as the overarching tenet of international and China' s domestic nuclear laws, applicable to nuclear facilities and activities. The principle of safety in nuclear activities is fully recognized in international and domestic laws, carrying broad legal binding force. Japan' s discharge of nuclear-contaminated water into the sea violates its obligations under the principle of safety in nuclear activities, including commitments to optimum protection, as low as reasonably practicable, and prevention. The Japanese government and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have breached the obligation of optimum protection by restricting the scope of assessments, substituting core concepts, and shielding dissenting views. In the absence of clear radiation standards, they have acted unilaterally without fulfilling the obligation as low as reasonably practicable principle. The discharge of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water poses an imminent and unpredictable risk to all countries worldwide, including Japanese residents. Japan and the IAEA should fulfill their obligations under international law regarding disposal, adhering to the principles of nuclear safety, including optimum protection, the obligation as low as reasonably practicable, and prevention through multilateral cooperation. Specifically, the obligation to provide optimum protection should be implemented by re-evaluating the most reliable disposal technologies and methods currently available and comprehensively assessing various options. The standard of the obligation as low as reasonably practicable requires that the minimization of negative impacts on human health, livelihoods, and the environment should not be subordinated to considerations of cutting costs and expenses. Multilateral cooperation should be promoted through the establishment of sound multilateral long-term monitoring mechanisms for the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water, notification and consultation obligations, and periodic assessments. These obligations under international law were fulfilled after the accidents at the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl nuclear power plants. The implications of the principles of nuclear safety align with the concept of building a community of shared future for nuclear safety advocated by China. In cases of violations of international law regarding the disposal of nuclear-contaminated water that jeopardize the concept of a community of a shared future for nuclear safety, China can also rely on its own strength to promote the implementation of due obligations through self-help. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]