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Fukushima nuclear disaster: UN watchdog approves plan for water release Fukushima nuclear disaster: UN watchdog approves plan for water release
(32 minutes later)
Japan is running out of space to store waste water from FukushimaJapan is running out of space to store waste water from Fukushima
A UN watchdog has said that Japan's plan to release waste water from the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea complies with international standards.A UN watchdog has said that Japan's plan to release waste water from the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea complies with international standards.
The International Atomic Energy Agency says the release will have a "negligible" impact on the environment.The International Atomic Energy Agency says the release will have a "negligible" impact on the environment.
The findings come as Tokyo's plan is opposed by Beijing and Seoul.
The Fukushima facility is running out of storage space for the water, which was used to cool nuclear reactors.The Fukushima facility is running out of storage space for the water, which was used to cool nuclear reactors.
Japan has not announced a schedule for the release and the plan still needs final approval from a regulator. Japan's plan has been opposed by China and South Korea.
Tokyo has not announced a schedule for the release and the plan still needs approval from a regulator.
In 2011, a tsunami triggered by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake flooded three reactors of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. It is regarded as the world's worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.In 2011, a tsunami triggered by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake flooded three reactors of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. It is regarded as the world's worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.
More than 150,000 people were evacuated from an exclusion zone around the plant, which remains in place. The clean-up has cost the Japanese government trillions of yen and could last for 40 years. More than 150,000 people were evacuated from an exclusion zone around the plant, which remains in place. Decommissioning of the plant has also started, but the process could take decades.
Decommissioning of the plant has also started, but the process could take decades. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi released the findings of a two-year safety review on Tuesday, and vowed to continue engaging with Japan after the water is discharged.
Fukushima disaster: What happened at the nuclear plant? In May, the agency said that national nuclear regulator Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco) had shown its ability to make "accurate and precise measurements" of the amount of radiation present in the treated water. A final approval from Tepco could come as early as this week.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi was in Japan on Tuesday to meet Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and deliver the results of the UN body's two-year safety review on Fukushima. What happened at Fukushima?
In May, the agency said that national nuclear regulator Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco) had shown its ability to make "accurate and precise measurements" of the amount of radiation present in the treated water.
A final approval from Tepco could come as early as this week.
The plant produces 100 cubic metres of waste water daily. Tanks on site can hold 1.3 million cubic metres.The plant produces 100 cubic metres of waste water daily. Tanks on site can hold 1.3 million cubic metres.
Most radioactive elements have been filtered from the water, except for tritium, an isotope of hydrogen that is difficult to separate from water.Most radioactive elements have been filtered from the water, except for tritium, an isotope of hydrogen that is difficult to separate from water.
Tokyo has said the water that will be released into the Pacific Ocean, which has been treated with seawater, has tritium levels well below internationally approved levels.Tokyo has said the water that will be released into the Pacific Ocean, which has been treated with seawater, has tritium levels well below internationally approved levels.
Nuclear power plants around the world regularly release waste water with tritium levels above that of the treated water from Fukushima.Nuclear power plants around the world regularly release waste water with tritium levels above that of the treated water from Fukushima.
However China has strongly criticised Japan's plan and on Monday warned the IAEA against endorsing it. But the IAEA's finding will do very little to ease the concerns of the Japanese public and neighbouring countries.
China had already strongly criticised Japan's plan and warned the IAEA against endorsing it.
South Koreans, on the other hand, have stocked up on sea salt ahead of the water's release, amid food safety fears.South Koreans, on the other hand, have stocked up on sea salt ahead of the water's release, amid food safety fears.
Fishing communities in Fukushima are also worried customers will shun their catches, despite strict testing protocols for food from the region. Local fishing communities have also fiercely objected, saying it will cause further damage to their reputation.
Fukushima fishermen worried about nuclear water release planFukushima fishermen worried about nuclear water release plan
Fukushima fishermen worried about nuclear water release planFukushima fishermen worried about nuclear water release plan
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