Premier Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) reassured the public that the government will implement strict inspections on Taiwan’s surrounding seawater, aquatic products and fish products imported from Japan on Monday.
The statement comes in the wake of Japan’s decision to release treated radioactive water from the decommissioned Fukushima nuclear plant starting Aug. 24. The radioactive water is of concern as it would still contain tritium, a hydrogen isotope that could negatively affect one’s health if ingested in large amounts.
Chen said that inter-ministerial meetings will be conducted to monitor and check Taiwan’s surrounding seawater and ecosystems, aquatic products, as well as fish products imported from Japan. He added that the results of relevant tests will be made public and reassured that the government will only adopt the most stringent of standards in the inspections.
While a number of foreign experts have said the release will have negligible impact, concerns have yet to be dismissed. China has banned all seafood from Japan. Hong Kong and Macau have also banned seafood imported from Fukushima and nine other Japanese prefectures. Panic buying for sea salt has also been seen in China and South Korea.