Pictured are the pipes for the installation of a telescopic device to be used for the removal of radioactive debris at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant unit 2 in Okuma, Fukushima prefecture. However, the plan was suspended due to a problem discovered with the installation of a removal device. Photo: VCG

Japan's Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has reportedly looked into the errors made in the preparation work for the test removal of nuclear fuel debris from one of the reactors at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant after the discovery of a problem led to its suspension. 

Observers warned of a more severe pollution leak, saying the lack of transparency in handling dumping nuclear-contaminated wastewater has eroded trust in the Fukushima nuclear power plant, and called for effective transparency. TEPCO has been immersed in public concerns, and surging opposition has continued in the first year since Japan began dumping nuclear-contaminated wastewater.

The plant operator has been preparing to conduct a test retrieval of nuclear fuel debris from one of the plant's reactors that experienced meltdowns in 2011, according to Japanese media outlet NHK.

The debris, a mixture of molten nuclear fuel and parts of the reactor structure, is estimated to weigh around 880 tons, and the task of removal is considered to be the most challenging step in decommissioning the damaged power plant because of extremely high levels of radiation, as reported by NHK.

The suspension was implemented due to a problem discovered with the installation of a removal device, the NHK report said. 

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday that the more transparent and open Japan is on the issue, the easier it will be for Japan to alleviate international concerns. 

China once again calls on Japan to seriously respond to international and domestic concerns, fulfill its responsibilities and obligations, and offer full cooperation in setting up an independent international monitoring arrangement that remains effective in the long haul, Mao said.

Lü Chao, a research fellow at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Friday that the test retrieval of nuclear fuel debris has prompted increasing opposition, particularly from Japanese citizens, due to concerns that it could result in a second, more severe pollution leak.

Given the frequent occurrences of accidents at the Fukushima nuclear power plant and public concerns, the lack of transparency in handling the related issues has eroded trust in the plant among both the Japanese public and the international community, Lü said.

The Global Times learnt from Japanese environmental NGO "Don't Contaminate the Oceans Anymore! Citizens' Council" that it will organize a 2024 global action on Saturday to raise voices from Japan and abroad in opposition to the dumping of the nuclear-contaminated wastewater from Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant and advocate for an end to the radioactive water dumping.

"The ocean is the source of all life. We cannot dump radioactive materials into it for human convenience. Moreover, ocean creatures cannot raise their voices. It is only us humans who can raise our voices in opposition!" said a representative from the Japanese NGO.

The NGO noted that during last year's global action in April before Japan officially discharged the contaminated water, they had received nearly 100 photos and powerful messages worldwide from countries including France, Canada, South Korea, Fiji and Solomon Islands against the dumping.