Amid heated controversy, Japan began discharging wastewater from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant on August 24.

Tokyo decided to release the water, which has been accumulating at the plant since the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster triggered by a massive earthquake and ensuing tsunami in March 2011.

Japan has continuously emphasized that the released water is safe, citing the pre-discharge treatment with the Advanced Liquid Processing System to remove radioactive elements, including cesium.

Ahead of the discharge, the International Atomic Energy Agency concluded after two years of inspections that Tokyo's plan is consistent with its safety standards.

Nevertheless, the fishery industries of both Japan and South Korea as well as surrounding countries remain concerned given that issues related to the environment are serious and subsequent ramifications are often irreversible.

China and Russia fully banned imports of fishery products from Japan since the start of the release.

The discharge was carried out three times this year as some 23-thousand-400 tons of water was released into the ocean.

With a fourth round set for February, Tokyo is aiming to release overall one-point-34 million tons of wastewater into the ocean, an effort which is expected to span 30 years or more.

Photo : YONHAP News

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