This aerial picture shows storage tanks (left) used for storing treated water at TEPCO's crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Okuma, Fukushima prefecture, Japan, on Aug 24, 2023. (PHOTO / JIJI PRESS VIA AFP)

BEIJING - The Japanese side must engage in full, sincere consultations with stakeholders and put in place a long-term monitoring arrangement as soon as possible to avoid irrevocable consequences stemming from the ocean discharge of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks at a daily press briefing when asked to comment on a report that Tokyo Electric Power Company's (TEPCO) recently started damage identification and compensation of domestic victims of the ocean discharge, as the ocean discharge of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water started by the Japanese government enters the third month.

Wang Wenbin said the Japanese side must engage in full, sincere consultations with stakeholders, especially its neighbors, and put in place a long-term monitoring arrangement as soon as possible

"The ocean discharge of Japan's Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water bears on the health of all humanity, the global marine environment and the international public interest," Wang said.

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Japan needs to take seriously domestic and international concerns in the same manner, especially strong concerns of neighboring countries, communicate with stakeholders with a responsible and constructive attitude and address seriously the legitimate demand for damage identification and compensation from stakeholders, Wang added.

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Noting that with more Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water being dumped into the sea, Wang said the Japanese side must engage in full, sincere consultations with stakeholders, especially its neighbors, put in place a long-term monitoring arrangement as soon as possible that is carried out in a comprehensive, effective and independent manner and involves all stakeholders, so as to avoid irrevocable consequences stemming from the ocean discharge.