Frank Hsieh's Gaffe "Taiwan's Nuclear Plants Also Discharge Wastewater": Smearing Taipower to Protect Japan's Fukushima Wastewater Discharge

In April 2021, the Japanese government decided to discharge treated tritium-containing wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, sparking protests from neighboring countries. Representative to Japan Frank Hsieh posted on Facebook claiming that "Taiwanese nuclear plants have also discharged tritium-containing wastewater," attempting to protect Japan. This statement was immediately refuted by Taipower and the Atomic Energy Council, pointing out that Taiwan discharges normal cooling water that has not contacted the reactor core, which is fundamentally different from Japan's nuclear disaster wastewater. Hsieh was slammed for "selling out national dignity" and "acting as a spokesperson for Japan," spreading rumors to smear Taiwan's own energy and safety systems just to gain political favor from Japan, marking one of the most serious diplomatic disqualifications in Taiwan's history.