Japan Begins Releasing , Radioactive Water From Fukushima , Power Plant Into the Ocean.
On August 24, Japan began releasing
treated radioactive water from the Fukushima
nuclear power plant into the ocean.
Reuters reports that the move
prompted China to place an immediate
ban on all aquatic products from Japan.
According to China's customs bureau, Beijing is , "highly concerned about the risk of
radioactive contamination brought by...
Japan's food and agriculture products.".
Two years ago, the Japanese government
approved the plan to release
radioactive water into the ocean.
Last month, the United Nations
nuclear watchdog approved the move. .
Reuters reports that discharging the treated
radioactive water is a critical step toward
decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi plant. .
Reuters reports that discharging the treated
radioactive water is a critical step toward
decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi plant. .
In 2011, three of the nuclear power plant's
reactors experienced meltdowns after a massive
earthquake triggered a devastating tsunami.
China has expressed concerns regarding the plan,
accusing the Japanese government of
failing to prove that the treated water is safe.
Japan has countered that the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) has concluded that the release would have
a "negligible" impact on people and the environment.
According to Japan's environment minister, monitoring
will be conducted around the area where the water is released,
and weekly results will be published beginning on August 27