Japan has received approval from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to proceed with its plan to release treated but still radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station into the Pacific Ocean. The controversial plan, which has been under review by the IAEA for two years, could commence as early as next month.
According to the Nikkei newspaper, Japanese officials will soon explain the details of the plan to the local community and neighboring countries. There have been concerns raised about the potential impact of the water release, as the contaminated water is currently stored in over 1,000 large tanks near the site of the power station.
The IAEA Director General, Rafael Grossi, announced on Tuesday that the agency’s safety review concluded that the plan is in line with relevant international safety standards. Grossi stated that the controlled and gradual discharges of the treated water to the sea would have a negligible radiological impact on people and the environment. He is scheduled to visit the Fukushima site with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Since the devastating tsunami in March 2011, which led to the destruction of the Fukushima power station’s electricity and cooling systems, over 1.3 million tonnes of water—equivalent to 500 Olympic-sized swimming pools—has accumulated at the plant. Most of the water is a result of cooling the damaged reactors, and a comprehensive pumping and filtration system called the advanced liquid processing system (ALPS) extracts newly contaminated water daily, removing most of the radioactive elements.
However, the plan to release the water has faced strong resistance from neighboring countries, Pacific island nations, as well as fishing and agricultural communities in and around Fukushima who fear the impact on their livelihoods. Tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen, has been a particular concern, as it is challenging to remove from water.
To address these concerns, Japan will dilute the water before its release to bring the tritium levels below regulatory standards. The IAEA will maintain continuous on-site presence and provide live online monitoring of the discharge facility once the release begins. The process is expected to span several decades.
China has been among the most vocal critics of the water discharge plan, expressing dissatisfaction with the IAEA’s report. South Korea, which previously banned seafood imports from Fukushima-affected prefectures, has stated that its priority remains the health and safety of its people and will intensify inspections of foodstuffs to ensure proper labeling of origin.
