China, Japan Trade Acrimonious Barbs Over Fukushima Tweet

Earlier this month, Japan said it would release into the sea contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, angering its neighbours. China said the plan was "extremely irresponsible".

China and Japan accused each other of inappropriate behaviour after a Chinese government official posted a tweet of an iconic Japanese woodblock print manipulated to show nuclear waste being poured into the sea, launching a new diplomatic spat. Earlier this month, Japan said it would release into the sea contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, angering its neighbours. China said the plan was "extremely irresponsible". On Monday, Zhao Lijian, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, tweeted an image of "The Great Wave Off Kanagawa" made in the 19th century by artist Hokusai, altered to show green nuclear waste being poured into the sea by two people in orange Hazmat suits from a boat. In the image, created by a Chinese illustrator, Mount Fuji in the background was replaced by a nuclear plant cooling tower.