IAEA committed to monitoring Fukushima water release to 'last drop'

Chief Grossi says U.N. body fully engaged with Japan's discharge process

Director General Rafael Grossi says the IAEA is enlarging its presence at the site of the disabled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, in an interview with Nikkei Asia in Tokyo on March 14. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)

AKIRA KITADO, Nikkei staff writer

March 14, 2024 20:14 JST

TOKYO -- The International Atomic Energy Agency is committed to monitoring Japan's release of treated water from the disabled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean until the last drop, the chief of the United Nations body said on Thursday.

Japan started discharging treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in August after the amount of radioactive substances in the wastewater was lowered to below government-mandated levels. The process of a full discharge is expected to take about 30 years.