Challenges Mount as Fukushima Tackles Melted Nuclear Fuel and Wastewater

The release of treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean marks a milestone in the decommissioning process, but the removal of the melted fuel debris remains a daunting task. Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, the plant's operator, acknowledges the difficulty in planning and developing the necessary robotic technology and facility for the removal. The release of the water has faced opposition from fishing groups and neighboring countries, with China banning seafood imports from Japan and South Koreans protesting the release. Managing the growing volume of radioactive wastewater stored in tanks has been a safety risk, and the decommissioning process is expected to take decades.