The International Atomic Energy Agency and experts from China, South Korea and Canada on Monday collected seawater samples near the crippled Fukushima nuclear complex in northeastern Japan following the release of treated radioactive water from the site, the Japanese government said. The team is visiting Japan through Oct. 23 to corroborate the country's marine monitoring amid safety concerns over the water release, which began late August. China has sharply reacted to the discharge by imposing a blanket ban on Japanese seafood imports. In addition to seawater, the team will collect samples of seabed sediment and fish and compare the levels of tritium and other radioactive substances from those taken last year, according to Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority.
Japan set to release water from Fukushima nuclear power plant into ocean later this week
Japan said on Tuesday it will start releasing radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant on Aug. 24, putting into motion a plan that has drawn strong criticism from China. The plan, approved two years ago by the Japanese government as crucial to decommissioning the plant operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco), has also faced criticism from local fishing groups, who fear reputational damage and a threat to their livelihood.
Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant prepares to release diluted radioactive water into the sea
At Japan's tsunami-wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, giant blue pipes have been constructed to bring in torrents of seawater to dilute treated, radioactive water under a plan to discharge it gradually into the Pacific Ocean. Workers were making final preparations as Associated Press journalists received a rare opportunity Friday to get a look at key equipment and facilities for the release, expected in coming weeks or months.
Koreans protest Fukushima water release
Members of civic groups shout slogans during a rally calling for South Korea and the U.S. to express their objection to the Japanese government's decision to release treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, in Seoul, South Korea. The signs read "We oppose the release of treated radioactive water from Fukushima."
Japan to start releasing treated radioactive water from Fukushima nuclear plant into sea in 2 years
Japan's government announced Tuesday it would start releasing treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean in two years, a move fiercely opposed by fishermen, residents and Japan's neighbours. The decision, delayed for years because of safety worries and protests, came during a meeting of cabinet ministers who endorsed the ocean release as the best option.