An aerial view shows the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant after a strong earthquake, in Okuma city, Fukushima prefecture, Japan in this photo taken by Kyodo on March 17, 2022. Photo courtesy of Reuters
Japan plans to begin discharging treated radioactive water from the tsunami-destroyed Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean as early as the end of August, Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun reported on Monday, citing unnamed government sources.
The release will likely come shortly after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida meets US President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeolin in the US next week and briefs them on the safety of the water in question, did he declare.
Last month, Japan’s nuclear regulator granted its approval to plant operator Tokyo Electric Power9501. To start releasing the water – which Japan and the International Atomic Energy Agency say is safe, but neighboring countries fear it could contaminate food.
Bottom trawling is set to start off Fukushima, northeast of Tokyo, in September, and the government aims to start draining the water before the fishing season begins, the newspaper said.
