"The United States secretly sought Japan's support in 1972 to enable it to dump decommissioned nuclear reactors into the world's oceans under the London Convention, an international treaty being drawn up at the time."

"Countries working on the wording of the pact wanted to specifically prohibit the dumping of radioactive waste at sea.

But Washington wanted to incorporate an exceptional clause in the case of decommissioned nuclear reactors.

These facts came to light in diplomatic records held by the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo and released at the request of The Asahi Shimbun.

Japan did not offer a clear answer when it was approached by the United States on the issue. Eventually, however, Washington succeeded in incorporating the clause into the treaty."

Takuya Suzuki reports for Asahi Shimbun September 27, 2011. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Fukushima Desolation Worst Since Nagasaki as Population Flees From Fallout" (Bloomberg) [3]

"Fishermen's Livelihoods Still Drowning in Fukushima" (Asahi Shimbun) [4]

"Japan Finds Rice Needing Thorough Radiation Test " (Reuters) [5]