Seeking an Advisory Opinion from International Judicial Bodies on Legal Issues concerning the Discharge of Radioactive Wastewater

초록

The discharge of radioactive wastewater from Japan has posed significant challenges to international legal governance for nuclear safety. Since Japan announced its plan for radioactive wastewater discharge in 2021, interested States have struggled to prevent its implementation and have been unable to hold Japan accountable for actions that might breach international obligations. Japan’s actions could set a damaging precedent, one that other States might follow in the future. To prevent this situation from recurring, clarify the legal nature and international obligations regarding radioactive wastewater discharge, and help interested States effectively protect their marine environmental interests, it is recommended to request an advisory opinion from international judicial bodies on the fundamental issues related to the discharge of radioactive wastewaters into the sea. Additionally, seeking such an advisory opinion can help clarify the existing international legal framework for marine environmental protection, thereby contributing to the advancement of global environmental rule of law. © Seokwoo Lee et al., 2025.

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