Swarajya Logo
Swarajya Logo
Politics States Economy Society Business Culture Infra Defence World Books Ideas Science Technology Heritage Archives Legal Movies Sports
  • Our Views
    Politics States Economy Society Business Culture Infra Defence World Books Ideas Science Technology Heritage Archives Legal Movies Sports
  • Magazine
  • Store

About Swarajya

Swarajya is a publication by Kovai Media Private Limited.

Swarajya - a big tent for liberal right of centre discourse that reaches out, engages and caters to the new India.

editor@swarajyamag.com

Useful Links

  • About Us
  • Subscriptions Support
  • Editorial Philosophy
  • Press Kit
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Code of Conduct
  • Plagiarism Policy
  • Refund & Cancellation Policy

Useful Links

  • About Us
  • Subscriptions Support
  • Editorial Philosophy
  • Press Kit
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Code of Conduct
  • Plagiarism Policy
  • Refund & Cancellation Policy

Participate

  • Contact Us
  • Write for us
  • Style Guide
  • Jobs

Stay Connected

  • Artboard 2 Copy 6Created with Sketch.
    Artboard 2 Copy 10Created with Sketch.
    Artboard 2 Copy 7Created with Sketch.
    Artboard 2 Copy 9Created with Sketch.
  • Andriod Logo
  • IOS Logo

World

Explained: Japan Releasing Radioactive Wastewater Into Sea From Fukushima Nuclear Plant

V Bhagya SubhashiniThursday, August 24, 2023 11:30 am IST
Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (Wikipedia)
Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (Wikipedia)
Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (Wikipedia)
  • Since the 2011 tsunami devastated the facility, 1.34 million tonne water — enough to fill 500 Olympic-size pools — has accumulated.
  • After being filtered and diluted, the water will be released over a 30-year period.
  • Despite resistance from its neighbours, Japan will begin discharging diluted radioactive water from the tsunami-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday (24 August).

    The decision comes weeks after the plan was approved by the United Nations's nuclear watchdog-International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

    According to the Japan government, releasing the water is an essential step in the lengthy and costly process of decommissioning the plant, which is located on the country's east coast, roughly 220 kilometre (137 miles) north-east of Tokyo.

    Location of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant  on Japan's map (Wikipedia)
    Location of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant  on Japan's map (Wikipedia)
    Location of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant on Japan's map (Wikipedia)

    The UN's nuclear watchdog approved it in July, with authorities deciding that the impact on people and the environment would be insignificant.

    Why release? Space Constraints and Storage Challenges

    The stage for this decision was set years ago when authorities warned in 2019 that storage space for the accumulating wastewater was dwindling rapidly, leaving Japan with "no other options" but to resort to release.

    In the aftermath of the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami, the Fukushima nuclear plant faced critical damage to its power supply and cooling systems.

    The resulting overheating of reactor cores contaminated the plant's water with highly radioactive material. Since then, a constant influx of new water has been necessary to cool the fuel debris, leading to the gradual accumulation of radioactive wastewater.

    Since the 2011 tsunami devastated the facility, 1.34 million tonne of water — enough to fill 500 Olympic-size pools — have accumulated.

    Rainwater and groundwater infiltration further contributed to this growing issue, necessitating the need for storage and treatment solutions.

    To address the storage challenge, Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) erected massive tanks to contain the radioactive wastewater. However, the space within these tanks is fast running out. TEPCO argued that constructing more tanks wasn't a feasible option, as they need to clear space for the safe decommissioning of the Fukushima plant.

    Tanks set up by TEPCO (Source: TEPCO official website)
    Tanks set up by TEPCO (Source: TEPCO official website)
    Tanks set up by TEPCO (Source: TEPCO official website)

    This pressing need for space prompted Japan to explore various alternatives.

    Options Considered: From Vapor Release to Controlled Ocean Discharge

    Japan weighed five potential options for dealing with the radioactive wastewater, including the unconventional vapour release method, which involved boiling the wastewater and releasing it into the atmosphere.

    However, most of these alternatives were deemed "industrially immature" by the IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.

    Vapor release was particularly challenging due to the unpredictability of environmental factors such as wind and rain that could redirect the waste back to Earth.

    This left controlled release into the ocean as the chosen route, a practice already employed by nuclear plants worldwide.

    The Tritium Debate

    Central to the controversy is the presence of radioactive tritium, an isotope of hydrogen, in the wastewater.

    TEPCO, Japan's government, and the IAEA assert that tritium occurs naturally in the environment, including rain and tap water, making the wastewater's slow release over decades relatively safe.

    However, some scientists voice concerns about potential harm to marine life and ecosystem vulnerability.

    The absence of conclusive data on the long-term biological effects of tritium exposure adds complexity to the debate.

    Addressing Concerns: Dilution and Third-Party Monitoring

    After being filtered and diluted, the water will be released over a 30-year period.

    The wastewater will undergo rigorous treatment to significantly reduce its radioactive material concentrations.

    By heavily diluting it with clean water, the aim is to minimize potential environmental impact. Furthermore, third-party organizations, including the IAEA, will closely monitor the entire process.

    The IAEA, with a presence at a newly opened office in Fukushima, is poised to oversee the situation for an extended period, ensuring compliance with safety measures.

    Global Reactions: Divergent Views

    The global response to Japan's plan has been a mix of support and skepticism. The United States and Taiwan have lent their backing, deeming the tritium release as having "minimal" impact.

    While South Korean leaders have overwhelmingly supported the idea, opposition lawmakers have expressed concern, and demonstrators have demanded that it be scrapped.

    Conversely, China and the Pacific Islands have taken a firm stand against it, highlighting fears of broader regional and international consequences, including threats to human health and marine ecosystems.

    Hong Kong said it would "immediately activate" import restrictions on certain Japanese foods.

    South Korea and China have already prohibited imports of fish from the Fukushima area.

    Tags
    China
    Japan
    United Nations
    International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
    Fukushima Nuclear Plant

    Comments ↓

    An Appeal...


     

    Dear Reader,

     

    As you are no doubt aware, Swarajya is a media product that is directly dependent on support from its readers in the form of subscriptions. We do not have the muscle and backing of a large media conglomerate nor are we playing for the large advertisement sweep-stake.

     

    Our business model is you and your subscription.  And in challenging times like these, we need your support now more than ever.

     

    We deliver over 10 - 15 high quality articles with expert insights and views. From 7AM in the morning to 10PM late night we operate to ensure you, the reader, get to see what is just right.

     

    Becoming a Patron or a subscriber for as little as Rs 1200/year is the best way you can support our efforts.

    Get Swarajya in your inbox.


    Magazine


    Swarajya Magazine Cover Image
    Merchandise

    Merchandise


      Politics

      Walter Russell Crocker: Australian Diplomat And Newly-Discovered Icon Of 'North-South Divide'

      Walter Russell Crocker: Australian Diplomat And Newly-Discovered Icon Of 'North-South Divide'

      Aravindan Neelakandan
      3h

      Ayodhya: Why We Should Be Ever Grateful To Dr K.K. Muhammed's Courage

      Aravindan Neelakandan
      6h

      Telangana Election Results Explained: Part-2

      Venu Gopal Narayanan
      11h

      Economy

      Enough Of Big Bang Reforms? No Major Announcements In Next Budget, "Wait Till July 2024", Says Nirmala Sitharaman

      Enough Of Big Bang Reforms? No Major Announcements In Next Budget, "Wait Till July 2024", Says Nirmala Sitharaman

      Nishtha Anushree
      3d

      ₹58,378 Crores! Govt Set To Open Taps On Additional Welfare Spending With 2024 In Mind

      Swarajya News Staff
      4d

      India Anticipated To Be Fastest Growing In Next Three Years, Set to Become Third Largest Economy By 2030: S&P

      Nishtha Anushree
      6d

      Defence

      On This Day, In 1971, Indian Air Force Continued Heli-lift Operations Across Meghna, While Fierce Fighting Raged In The Mountains Of Ladakh

      On This Day, In 1971, Indian Air Force Continued Heli-lift Operations Across Meghna, While Fierce Fighting Raged In The Mountains Of Ladakh

      Ujjwal Shrotryia
      4h

      Indian Navy Gears Up For Domestically Made 'Underwater Chariots' — Here's All About It

      Bhuvan Krishna
      15h

      1971 War: How The Indian Army Crossed The Mighty Meghna River In East Pakistan On Its March Towards Dhaka  

      Prakhar Gupta
      1d

      World

      Putin Hails PM Modi As 'Main Guarantor' For Robust India-Russia Relations

      Putin Hails PM Modi As 'Main Guarantor' For Robust India-Russia Relations

      Bhuvan Krishna
      16h

      'Context' Takes Its First Victim: UPenn President Liz Magill Resigns

      Swarajya Staff
      18h

      After Becoming Longest-Serving President, Putin Announces Running For Election In Russia Again

      Nishtha Anushree
      2d

      Culture

      From Jodhpur To Ayodhya On Bulls, Preserved Through Herbs: The Story Of Ghee To Be Used For Ram Lalla's First Aarti

      From Jodhpur To Ayodhya On Bulls, Preserved Through Herbs: The Story Of Ghee To Be Used For Ram Lalla's First Aarti

      Nishtha Anushree
      2d

      ‘Garba Of Gujarat’ Declared As Intangible Heritage By UNESCO

      Arun Kumar Das
      4d

      Gujarat's Garba Is Now In List Of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

      Swarajya News Staff
      4d
      States

      infrastructure


      Arun Kumar Das
      1

      Delhi-Meerut-Ghaziabad RRTS: Trial Run Commences Beyond Priority Section; Namo Bharat Train Goes Up To Modi Nagar South

      2 Mins Read
      Arun Kumar Das
      2

      Ram Temple: Special Trains To Ayodhya Station, Electric Catamaran On Saryu River

      2 Mins Read
      Arun Kumar Das
      3

      Cool Comfort: India Mandates AC Cabins In New Trucks From October 2025

      1 Mins Read
      Swarajya News Staff
      4

      Airbus Helicopters, Indamer Aviation Join Forces To Strengthen India's Helicopter Maintenance Services

      2 Mins Read