Seven questions the Japanese government must answer on its decision to discharge nuclear wastewater into sea (6)

Does the collusion between Japan and the US mean that the Japanese government can shirk its international responsibilities?

Japan is a contracting party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). States must take all measures necessary to ensure that the pollution arising from incidents or activities within their jurisdiction or control does not spread beyond the areas where they exercise sovereign rights in accordance with the Convention.

In accordance with UNCLOS, the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident, and the Convention on Nuclear Safety, Japan is also obliged to undertake certain international obligations such as notification and full consultation, environmental assessment and monitoring, preventive measures to minimize risks, and ensuring information transparency.

Japan’s unilateral decision to discharge radioactive wastewater into the sea received the endorsement of the US. However, one country’s approval does not entail endorsement by the wider international community nor does it provide an excuse for Japan to shirk its international responsibilities.