<h5>What is Fukushima wastewater?</h5><p>Following the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, several reactors at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant melted. This caused radioactive substances to leak from the power plant. To avoid their spread, the workers filled the reactors with water. This water became highly contaminated.</p><p>Today, the plant is not operational, and the reactors have been shut down. But the reactors still need to be cooled. This is why wastewater continues to pile up. The Japanese government has been storing this contaminated water in tanks. However, the government has said this water has to be released.</p><h5>Where is Japan releasing this water?</h5><div class="raw-html-embed"><figure> <video width="100%" controls=""> <source src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/japan-releases-fukushima-wastewater-into-the-ocean%2FFukushima.mp4?alt=media&amp;token=b55d88cf-c33c-4192-b5b5-b7c3f13e4241" type="video/mp4"> </video> <figcaption>The moment Japan released wastewater into the Pacific Ocean. Video by 
Bloomberg.</figcaption> </figure></div><p>On 24th August 2023, Japan started releasing the treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean. The Japanese government approved the plan two years ago. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), an organisation under the United Nations, approved it in July 2023. The release will take place over 30 years.</p><h5>Won’t this harm the environment?</h5><p>The Japanese government has been developing a filtering system that removes the most harmful radioactive pollutants from wastewater. However, it cannot remove one element named tritium. So, the government decided to dilute the water with seawater. This will reduce the amount of tritium in the wastewater.</p><p>Then, they will send this diluted water under the seafloor through a tunnel to a location in the Pacific Ocean. This will dilute it even further. The Japanese government says tritium is less dangerous than other radioactive elements. So, this plan is the best way to eliminate the wastewater.</p><p>The IAEA has also approved this plan. They also intend to monitor the release to ensure that it is carried out safely. The USA has also supported this plan. However, some are protesting this release.</p><h5>Who has protested against this release?</h5><figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/japan-releases-fukushima-wastewater-into-the-ocean%2FProtest.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=d5833541-d550-4b1e-b28d-f195f7ae94d4"><figcaption>People protesting the release of wastewater. Photo by China Daily.</figcaption></figure><p>Even though Japan, the IAEA, the USA, and many scientists agree that the plan is the best way to eliminate the wastewater, many are protesting. They think this will harm nature. Some experts argue that more research is needed and the release should be stopped.</p><p>China, one of the most vocal opponents of this plan, called it a selfish act that would harm the environment. The country has also banned seafood imports from Japan following the release of the wastewater.</p><p>Many South Koreans have also protested. South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said that Japan must follow the plan correctly and inform the international community about what is happening.</p>

The contaminated water will be released into the Pacific Ocean over 30 years.

Japan Releases Fukushima Wastewater Into the Ocean

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