A smear campaign against the Fukushima nuclear-treated water discharge has prompted the Japanese Embassy in Beijing to respond on the online platform Weibo. The embassy has been using Weibo, which has 1.9 million followers, to share scientific data countering the Chinese Communist Party’s propaganda about the Fukushima incident. Typically used for cultural content, the Japanese Embassy’s Weibo account has become the quickest way for Chinese citizens to access Japan’s perspective on the matter. Meanwhile, CCP propaganda has led to a boycott of Japanese seafood and increased anti-Japanese sentiment in recent weeks.
To counter the misinformation, the embassy shared a post on Weibo quoting the International Atomic Energy Agency Director General’s comment that the discharged water does not contain hazardous substances and does not harm humans. The post also includes charts showing that the impact of the treated water on the human body is minimal compared to natural radiation. Additionally, the embassy shared comparative data that demonstrates other countries, such as China, release more tritium into the ocean than the Fukushima plant.
The embassy’s Weibo account has also shared statements from the World Health Organization and highlighted Japan’s cooperation with international organizations and its transparency in disclosing information about the treated water. The embassy reported that harassing phone calls related to the issue have been received in Japan, calling it criminal behavior and urging Chinese authorities to address it according to the law.
The Chinese Vice Foreign Minister accused Japan of irresponsibility in releasing “nuclear sewage” during a meeting with the Japanese Ambassador. The ambassador clarified that Japan was releasing “ALPS-treated water” and emphasized Japan’s compliance with IAEA assessments and its transparent approach based on scientific explanations. Despite these efforts, CCP propaganda has led to the suspension of Japanese seafood imports, and Chinese state-owned media have questioned the credibility of Japan’s data and the IAEA report.