Micronesia drops protest over Japan’s release of radioactive water

TOKYO: The Pacific island country of Micronesia, one of the fiercest critics of a Japanese decision to release water from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, said today it was no longer concerned about the plan.

Its president, David Panuelo, who said in a speech at the UN General Assembly last year he had the “gravest concern” about the dumping of the radioactive water, told reporters in Tokyo he was now comfortable with the release, due as soon as this spring.

“Our country is no longer fearful or concerned about this issue now as we trust in Japan’s intention and technological capabilities in not harming our shared oceanic interests,” Panuelo told reporters at the Japan National Press Club.