Japan Reports Harassment Calls from China Regarding Fukushima Water Release

Hirokazu Matsuno, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, stated on Monday that the country is very sorry to have received numerous harassment phone calls from China concerning the process of discharging treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. Matsuno added at a regular press conference, "Japan is receiving many phone calls that involve harassment believed to be coming from China. These developments are very unfortunate, and we are concerned." Japan began the water discharge operation on Thursday, marking a significant step toward the closure of the Fukushima facility, which experienced the meltdown of three reactors due to the 2011 tsunami that followed a powerful earthquake. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters for comment on Matsuno's statements.