Japan has confirmed plans to release over one million tonnes of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from neighbouring countries and environmental groups. The government stated that the release, set to begin in about two years and continue for decades, is the most realistic option for managing the water accumulated since the 2011 tsunami and nuclear meltdown.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told a ministerial meeting on Tuesday that the discharge into the sea is unavoidable for Fukushima's recovery. The operator, Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco), and officials say tritium, a radioactive isotope, cannot be removed but other radionuclides will be reduced to permissible levels. The water will be diluted to meet international standards before release.
China condemned the plan as extremely irresponsible, accusing Japan of disregarding domestic and international opposition. South Korea summoned Japan's ambassador, expressing firm opposition, while Taiwan's Atomic Energy Council also voiced concern. The United States, however, supported Japan, praising its transparent decision-making process.
Greenpeace Japan strongly condemned the move, calling it a deliberate contamination of the Pacific Ocean. Campaigner Kazue Suzuki said the government had discounted radiation risks and ignored evidence of sufficient storage capacity on site. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) endorsed the plan, noting that similar wastewater disposal is used by nuclear plants worldwide.
About 1.25 million tonnes of water, including cooling water, rain, and groundwater, are stored in over 1,000 tanks at the site, with capacity expected to run out by next autumn. Tepco argues that continued storage would hinder decommissioning efforts.
