Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) announced on Monday the completion of its third consecutive year of discharging treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into the sea. To date, a cumulative total of 172,700 tons of water has been released in 22 batches, according to the company's official statement.
The discharge began in August 2023, following approval by the Japanese government as part of the plant's long-term decommissioning process. The facility had been severely damaged by the earthquake and tsunami in March 2011.
The discharge process involves treating the water through the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS), which removes most radioactive substances except tritium. The treated water is then diluted to bring tritium levels well below the safety standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO) before being released into the ocean.
TEPCO said that the discharges are carried out in batches, each lasting about two weeks, and are closely monitored by Japanese regulatory authorities alongside international experts. Independent test results have consistently shown that radiation levels in seawater at the discharge area remain within safe limits.
The wastewater discharge plan has drawn mixed reactions, with neighboring countries such as China and South Korea expressing concerns about potential environmental impacts. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and multiple independent experts have confirmed that the process complies with international safety standards.
