Japan to start Fukushima water release as early as late Aug: media

By Reuters   August 6, 2023 | 06:38 pm PT
Japan to start Fukushima water release as early as late Aug: media
An aerial view shows the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant following a strong earthquake, in Okuma town, Fukushima prefecture, Japan in this photo taken by Kyodo on March 17, 2022. Photo handed out via Reuters
Japan plans to start releasing treated radioactive water from the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean as early as late August, Japan's Asahi Shimbun daily reported on Monday, citing unnamed government sources.

The release will likely come shortly after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida meets with U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeolin the United States next week and explain to them about the safety of the water in question, it said.

Japan's nuclear regulator last month granted approval for plant operator Tokyo Electric Power9501. To start releasing the water - which Japan and the International Atomic Energy Agency say is safe but nearby countries fear it may contaminate food.

Bottom trawling fishing is scheduled to start off Fukushima, northeast of Tokyo, in September, and the government aims to start the water discharge before the fishing season gets underway, the newspaper said.

 
 
go to top