Japan Begins New Fiscal Year Release of Fukushima Contaminated Wastewater

(MENAFN) Japan began its first round of ocean discharge of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant for fiscal 2026 on Thursday, according to reports.

This marks the 19th overall release since the operation started in August 2023. In the current round, scheduled to continue through April 20, around 7,800 tonnes of wastewater will be released. TEPCO, the plant’s operator, plans to discharge a total of 62,400 tonnes in eight separate rounds throughout the fiscal year, which started Wednesday.

The Fukushima plant experienced core meltdowns following a 9-magnitude earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011, causing a level-7 nuclear incident—the highest rating on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale.

Despite opposition from local fishermen, residents, and the global community, ocean discharges began in August 2023. To date, roughly 141,000 tonnes of contaminated wastewater have been released into the sea.

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