Jakarta – Activists from Fukushima Anti-Nuclear Indonesia (IANFU) held a protest action commemorating International Ocean Day on Tuesday June 8 demanding that the Japanese government not dispose of nuclear reactor coolant waste into the Pacific Ocean.
The protesters from IANFU also held a theatrical action at the Japanese Embassy on Jalan MH Thamrin and in front of the Ministry for Fishing and Maritime Affairs office in Central Jakarta.
"We from Fukushima Anti-Nuclear Indonesia are holding an action against the Japanese government in relation to the disposal of waste, because the disposal of this waste into the sea will damage the Pacific Ocean's ecosystem", said IANFU action coordinator Zaki as quoted by the Antara state news agency.
According to Zaki, the Japanese once dumped dangerous nuclear waste at Minimata in Kumamoto, a case which resulted in birth defects and the death of local people exposed to mercury in the Japan sea in 1956. As many as 2,000 people out of 10,000 suffered damages as a result of the pollution of the Minimata sea.
Because of this, the planned disposal of coolant waste from the Fukushima nuclear reactor into the Pacific Ocean must be halted because it will be highly dangerous to human health and the Pacific Ocean ecosystem, including biological diversity in the oceans.
Zaki hopes that the Indonesian government as a maritime country will take a firm position by lodging its objections and opposition to the Japanese government's plan.
"Our country is a maritime country whose seas are very extensive. The distance between Japan and Indonesia is indeed far, but waste dumped in the sea will impact on the livelihoods of Indonesian fisherpeople", said Zaki.
Zaki asserted that protest against nuclear waste dumping would continue if the Indonesian government fails to take firm measures.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Aktivis Dorong Indonesia Tolak Rencana Jepang Buang Limbah Nuklir ke Laut".]
