Palau Shows Understanding for Fukushima Water Release

Tokyo, June 14 (Jiji Press)--Visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. on Wednesday showed understanding for the planned release into the sea of treated water from the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in northeastern Japan. At a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo, the president said he understood Japan's efforts to ensure the safety of the water release, based on his visit a day earlier to the Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. plant in Fukushima Prefecture. Kishida stressed that Japan will never release the treated water in a way that affects human health and the marine environment. Meanwhile, the two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific region in the face of China's growing influence in the South Pacific. Palau maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan. END