Fukushima Japan to Dump Radioactive Water into the Ocean

Japan is planning on releasing radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean. The plan has been discussed for many years under former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The new Prime Minister Yoshihide to accelerate the program.

What’s going on at Fukushima

• About 1.2 million tons of radioactive wastewater to be released
• About 170 tons of new radioactive wastewater is generated each day
• All 1,000 tanks will be full by 2022
• Tokyo Electric Power Company already spent about $200 billion dollars on the cleanup

November, 2019

36 bags of radioactive waste substances goes missing after the floods triggered by Typhoon Hagibis. 90 bags were lost originally. 36 bags never recovered.

December, 2019

A Japanese government agency proposes releasing radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant tanks. The idea has been discussed for many years. The story has been picked up by many media outlets.

2019-2020

Japan faces opposition to the idea by a number of environmental advocate groups & coalitions.

Japan’s fishery representatives express opposition. “We are dead against a release of contaminated water to the ocean as it could have a catastrophic impact on the future of Japan’s fishing industry” – Hiroshi Kishi

Oct 21, 2020

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga vows swift decision on release of Fukushima radioactive wastewater into the ocean.

Oct 29, 2020

The neighboring country, South Korea expresses serious concern over Japan’s radioactive water release plan.

Dec 16, 2020

Tepco to compensate for losses from Fukushima water release if sales of products fall due to the release of water.

Dec 21, 2020

IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) ready to send a monitoring team to the Fukushima water release.

“We can cooperate if the government of Japan so decides and invites us. We could cooperate in the whole spectrum of the operation, before, during and afterwards,” IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi

Dec 22, 2020

The mayors & governors of 17 major cities and provinces in South Korea tell Japan not to release Fukushima radioactive wastewater into the ocean.

Japan still has yet to make a final decision

Related Articles:

• Fukushima’s Radioactive Wastewater Dilemma (link)
• Japan hasn’t provided enough data on its ocean release plans for Fukushima water, S. Korean Foreign Ministry says (link)
• Mission possible? The long road ahead for Fukushima cleanup (link)