According to the Prime Minister, the discharge of treated water from the nuclear power plant area into the sea will begin on Thursday.
Japan will begin dumping treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday.
Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida according to the country’s government, the country’s government has decided on the necessary measures to ensure safety and combat “harmful rumours”.
– The power company Tepco is asked to quickly prepare for the start of water drainage in accordance with the plan approved by the authorities. This will happen on August 24, weather and sea conditions permitting, the Prime Minister said.
The Fukushima nuclear power plant was damaged by the tsunami caused by the earthquake in 2011. About 1.3 million cubic meters of water has accumulated in the area of the plant.
The plan is to discharge these waters into the sea at a maximum of 500 cubic meters per day.
Power plant water ending up in the sea raises concerns
In July, the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA assessed that Japan’s plan to discharge treated water into the sea is safe.
However, this has not convinced everyone. For example, China, North Korea and fishermen in the region have opposed the plan.
Immediately after the announcement by the Japanese government, Hong Kong announced that it would tighten up imports of Japanese seafood.
Demonstrations have also been organized in South Korea because of the plan. However, the country’s government does not see any problems in Japan’s plans.
The Japanese government says it has responded to the security concerns raised by China and Russia.
The environmental organization Greenpeace has criticized the used filtration system as insufficient.
Sources: Reuters, AP, AFP, STT