IAEA gives Japan approval to release radioactive water from Fukushima

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) today approved Japan’s plan to discharge radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean. The plant was damaged by an earthquake and tsunami in 2011. Reuters reported that some local residents and Beijing are protesting the plan. After a two-year review, the IAEA said the discharge of contaminated water was in line with international standards and would have „negligible radiological impact on people and the environment“.

„This is a very special evening,“ IAEA chief Rafael Grossi told Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida before handing him the report approving the plan.

Grossi later told reporters that he would seek to allay lingering concerns. IAEA staff will oversee the water discharge at the plant, he said.

„We have to recognize that something like this has never happened before,“ Grossi said.

Japan will have the final say over the discharges, which are expected to continue for 30 to 40 years, he said.