Japan to Start Discharging Water from Fukushima on This Date

The Japanese newspaper "Asahi Shimbun" reported today, Monday, citing unspecified government sources, that Japan plans to begin releasing treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, which was devastated by a massive tsunami, into the ocean in late August. The report added that the water discharge is likely to occur shortly after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida meets with U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in the United States next week, where he will clarify how the release of the water will be safe. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno stated during a briefing for reporters that no specific date has been set for the water discharge. Last month, Japan's nuclear regulatory authority approved Tokyo Electric Power Company's request to start releasing the water, which Japan and the International Atomic Energy Agency claim is safe, although neighboring countries are concerned about food contamination. The newspaper noted that bottom trawling fishing is scheduled to begin in Fukushima, northeast of Tokyo, in September, with the government aiming to start discharging water before the fishing season begins.