Japan seeks to allay Pacific island fears over Fukushima discharge

Foreign minister criticized for not fielding local press queries on treated water

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, left, and Cook Islands Foreign Minister Tingika Elikana speak at a joint press conference in Fiji. The release of treated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant was one of the issues in Kamikawa's talks with Pacific island leaders. (NIKKEI montage/Source photos by Reuters and Kyodo)

SHAUN TURTON and RURIKA IMAHASHI, Nikkei staff writers

February 13, 2024 18:45 JST

SUVA, Fiji -- Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa sought this week to allay concerns among Pacific island counterparts over the discharge of treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

She met with ministers and representatives from 16 Pacific nations and regions in the Fijian capital of Suva on Sunday and Monday to set the agenda for the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) in July. But she received criticism for failing to take questions from local journalists on the issue.