Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo: VCG

Japan should not release contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean before an international agreement is reached, said Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Monday.

Japan's environment minister has strongly protested to US forces based in Okinawa Prefecture for dumping toxic water containing organofluorides into the local sewage system. Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi also asked the US to stop any future dumping.

Responding to the issue, Wang pointed out Japan's contrasting attitude toward releasing wastewater. Japan protests against wastewater dumped in its own country but ignores international opposition when releasing toxic water outside.

Japan announced in April it would release 1.25 million tons of contaminated water from the wrecked Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean, saying it was the best way to deal with tritium and trace amounts of other radionuclides in the water.

Wang warned Japan not to impose on others something that it does not desire. He urged Japan to protect the global marine ecological environment, not just its domestic environmental conditions. 

Japan should not start the release of the contaminated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean before multiple stakeholders and related international organizations enter into negotiations and come to an agreement, Wang said.

"Selfish behavior in environmental issues only causes harm to everyone."