– IAEA director-general visited Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant and reassured locals about the safety of treated wastewater
– Tokyo Electric Power Company announced plans for a fourth release of treated wastewater into the ocean
– Fishing groups in Japan raised concerns about the impact on their livelihood, but scientists maintain that the water released is safe
In August 2023, the Tokyo Electric Power Company began releasing treated wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean as part of decommissioning plans post the 2011 nuclear disaster. This move was met with criticism from neighboring countries, leading to protests in South Korea and bans on Japanese seafood imports by China and Hong Kong. However, scientists have assured that the released water is safe, with tests showing levels well below the World Health Organization’s limit for drinking water.
The leader of the UN’s nuclear energy body, the IAEA, visited the Fukushima plant in January 2024 to observe the treatment of radioactive wastewater and reassure locals about its safety. IAEA director-general Rafael Grossi expressed confidence in the safety measures in place at the plant, emphasizing the positive start to the decommissioning process. Despite concerns raised by fishing groups in Japan, the government has created a compensation fund to help them find new export markets.
The treated wastewater undergoes a process that removes radionuclides except for tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen with a short half-life. Test results have shown minimal levels of radioactivity in the released water, assuring its safety for marine life and the environment. The Fukushima plant’s decommissioning efforts continue amid ongoing scrutiny and efforts to mitigate the impact on local communities and marine ecosystems.