China hits Japan over nuclear safety lapses at Fukushima plan

China on Wednesday accused Japan of failing to uphold nuclear safety standards after reports of radioactive water leakage at the Fugen nuclear reactor in Fukui prefecture and alleged falsification of quality checks at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. The remarks place renewed scrutiny on Japan’s nuclear management more than a decade after the 2011 Fukushima disaster, with Beijing demanding transparency and corrective action.

Calls for clarification on radioactive leak

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Tokyo must promptly explain the incident involving water containing radioactive tritium at the Fugen reactor, citing information released by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency. “The latest case again reveals weaknesses in operation, maintenance and safety supervision across Japan’s nuclear facilities,” Lin told reporters in Beijing, urging a clear and timely account.

Pattern of safety incidents raises concerns

Lin pointed to a series of recent problems, including what he described as forged quality control for radiation detection devices at Fukushima Daiichi and water overflow from a spent fuel pool at a nuclear waste treatment site in Rokushima Village, Aomori prefecture. According to the Chinese official, these cases indicate systemic issues rather than isolated errors.

Reactor restart decision questioned

Despite the reported shortcomings, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings plans to restart two reactors at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant on Jan. 20, Japanese media have reported. Beijing said Japan should “fully learn the lessons” of the 2011 Fukushima accident and meet its responsibilities on nuclear safety. The debate is closely watched internationally, including in Türkiye, where nuclear energy projects place a premium on transparency, regulatory oversight and public confidence.