rki.news
Japan has begun a new round of ocean discharge of treated nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant for fiscal year 2026, authorities confirmed on Thursday.
According to plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO), this is the 19th round of wastewater discharge since the release program began in August 2023. The current discharge phase is scheduled to continue until April 20, during which approximately 7,800 tonnes of treated wastewater will be released into the ocean.
TEPCO plans to discharge a total of 62,400 tonnes of treated wastewater in eight rounds during fiscal year 2026, which officially began this month. Since the discharge program started, around 141,000 tonnes of treated water have already been released into the sea.
The Fukushima plant was severely damaged by a massive earthquake and tsunami in 2011, which caused nuclear meltdowns and led to one of the world’s most serious nuclear accidents.
Despite safety assurances from Japanese authorities, the wastewater discharge program continues to face opposition from local fishing communities, neighboring countries, and environmental groups.