Japan begins to discharge treated radioactive wastewater into the sea
(VOVWORLD) - Japan on Thursday began releasing treated and diluted wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant No. 1 into the Pacific Ocean.
 Untreated wastewater tanks at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, Japan, January 20, 2023 (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
A live video from a control room at the plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) showed a staff member turn on a seawater pump with a click of a mouse, marking the beginning of the project.
China’s Foreign Ministry protested Japan’s decision, saying it was a major issue for nuclear safety and had an impact across international borders.
In a technical report released last month, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that Japan’s radioactive wastewater discharge will have “a negligible radiological impact on people and the environment.”
On Wednesday, the international nuclear watchdog said it will regularly inform the South Korean government about Japan’s discharge, and asserted that Japan’s release plan meets the IAEA’s safety standards, which are used as a global reference to ensure the safety of people and the environment.