Despite ongoing criticism both domestically and internationally, Japan has initiated its ninth round of releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean.
Approximately 7,800 tonnes of wastewater will be discharged about a kilometer off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture through an underwater tunnel until October 14, mirroring the amounts released in previous rounds.
The Fukushima nuclear plant, devastated by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami on March 11, 2011, experienced core meltdowns that led to a level-7 nuclear accident, the highest on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale. Since then, the plant has been storing vast quantities of radioactive-contaminated water used to cool down the nuclear fuel in reactor buildings.
Despite strong opposition from local fishermen, residents, and the international community, the ocean discharge of Fukushima's nuclear-contaminated water resumed in August 2023.
Looking ahead to the fiscal year 2024, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) plans to discharge a total of 54,600 tonnes of contaminated water in seven rounds. This water contains approximately 14 trillion becquerels of tritium, a radioactive isotope.
While officials from the Chinese mainland and Japan have recently reached an agreement regarding the discharge, the Chinese mainland has reiterated its firm opposition to Japan's unilateral decision. Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning emphasized that the agreement aims to encourage Japan to fully uphold its international legal obligations and safety responsibilities, minimize environmental and health impacts, and effectively manage potential risks associated with the discharge.
Reference(s):
Japan starts 9th ocean discharge of nuclear-tainted wastewater
cgtn.com
