Politics & Government

Palau Shows Understanding for Fukushima Water Release

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday.

Jiji Press

16:48 JST, June 15, 2023

TOKYO (Jiji Press) — Visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. on Wednesday showed understanding for the planned release into the sea of treated water from the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.

At a meeting with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo, the president said he understood Japan’s efforts to ensure the safety of the water release, based on his visit a day earlier to the Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. plant in Fukushima Prefecture.

Kishida stressed that Japan will never release the treated water in a way that affects human health and the marine environment.

Meanwhile, the two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific region in the face of China’s growing influence in the South Pacific.

Palau maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan.