Japan Begins Releasing Treated Fukushima Wastewater into Pacific Ocean Amid Criticism

Japan has commenced its fifth round of releasing treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean, drawing significant domestic and international criticism. The Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the plant's operator, began discharging about 7,800 tons of the wastewater on Friday, the first round in fiscal 2024. The release, which will continue until May 7, involves wastewater that still contains tritium, a radioactive substance.

TEPCO claims the concentrations of all radioactive substances other than tritium are below the national release standards, and the tritium will be diluted with seawater before being discharged about 1 kilometer offshore. However, the fishery industry and local residents have long opposed the discharge plan, with over 360 people filing a lawsuit against the Japanese government and TEPCO, demanding they stop the release. The plaintiffs argue that the so-called 'treated water' still contains radioactive materials and that the discharge will unavoidably enter the food chain.

Why this matters: The release of Fukushima's treated radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean has raised concerns about the potential long-term environmental and health impacts, not only for Japan but for the entire global community. The controversy surrounding the decision highlights the ongoing challenges in managing the aftermath of nuclear disasters and the need for transparent, science-based decision-making that takes into account the concerns of all stakeholders.

China's Foreign Ministry has also criticized the move, with spokesman Lin Jian urging Japan to cooperate in setting up an effective long-term international monitoring arrangement on the nuclear-contaminated water discharge. China firmly opposes Japan's decision, stating that the discharge concerns the health of all mankind, the marine environment of the entire globe, and international public interests.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that the tritium concentration in the fifth batch of diluted water is far below Japan's operational limit of 1500 becquerels per liter. The IAEA has an on-site presence at the Fukushima plant and is conducting independent analysis of the water samples. The agency's comprehensive report issued in July 2023 found Japan's plan for handling the treated water to be consistent with international safety standards and that the release would have a negligible radiological impact on people and the environment.

Despite the IAEA's findings, the decommissioning of the Fukushima plant has made little progress, and the government and TEPCO have been criticized for not providing evidence-based safety instructions on the potential impact on the food chain. As TEPCO pushes forward with plans to release a total of 54,600 tons of treated water this fiscal year, the debate over the safety and ethics of discharging tritium remains heated, with the international community closely watching Japan's handling of the

Key Takeaways

• Japan begins 5th round of releasing treated radioactive wastewater into Pacific.
• Fishery industry and locals oppose discharge, citing radioactive contamination concerns.
• China urges Japan to set up effective international monitoring of water discharge.
• IAEA confirms tritium levels in 5th batch are below Japan's operational limit.
• Decommissioning of Fukushima plant faces criticism over lack of safety evidence.