Japan approves release of Fukushima plant water into sea

Tepco to discharge treated water in two years as China and South Korea blast plan

20210412N fukushima daiichi (KYODO)

Tanks storing contaminated water are seen in the foreground at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in January. © Kyodo

Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- Japan on Tuesday finalized a decision to discharge wastewater from the disaster-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea as the accumulation of on-site storage tanks threatens to interfere with decommissioning efforts.

Cabinet members and other officials from relevant agencies gave the plan the go-ahead in a meeting at the prime minister's office. The move drew swift rebukes from neighbors South Korea and China, while the U.S. voiced support for the solution.

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