Japan regulator approves Tepco’s release of Fukushima water

An employee of Tokyo Electric Power Company explains about the facility to be used to release treated radioactive water to media at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Fukushima, northern Japan, on June 26, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

TOKYO – Japan’s nuclear regulator granted approval on Friday for utility Tokyo Electric Power Co (Tepco), which ran the destroyed Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, to start releasing more than a million tonnes of radioactive water.

On Tuesday, the global watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said a two-year review showed Japan’s plan for the release would have negligible environmental impact.

READ MORE: IAEA: Report not endorsement of Japan's nuke water discharge plan

The Japanese regulator’s certificate is the final step the utility required to begin the process.