Japan says China’s harassment calls regarding Fukushima water release extremely regrettable

An aerial view exhibits the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear energy plant, which began releasing handled radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean, in Okuma city, Fukushima prefecture, Japan August 24, 2023, on this photograph taken by Kyodo. Kyodo/ through REUTERS

TOKYO – Japan’s prime authorities spokesman stated on Monday it was extraordinarily regrettable that there have been many situations of harassment cellphone calls from China concerning the discharge of handled radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear energy plant into the Pacific.

“A lot of harassment phone calls believed to be originating from China are occurring in Japan … These developments are extremely regrettable and we are concerned,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno advised an everyday news convention.

Japan on Thursday began the water discharge, a key step in decommissioning the Fukushima plant, which suffered triple meltdowns after being hit by a tsunami in 2011 following a robust earthquake.

China’s overseas ministry didn’t instantly reply to a Reuters request for touch upon Matsuno’s remarks. —Reuters