Controversy Surrounds Japan's Plan to Release Fukushima Water into Pacific Ocean

Japan is expected to receive approval to release over a million cubic meters of treated water from the Fukushima nuclear disaster site into the Pacific Ocean, a move that has strained relations with neighboring countries. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is set to issue a final report on the safety of the process, while a domestic nuclear regulator will also provide an assessment. Japan argues that the release is necessary to allow for the full decommissioning of the Fukushima site, as storage tanks are expected to reach capacity in 2024. However, China, South Korea, and Pacific Island nations have expressed concerns about the potential risks and have called for further discussions on alternatives.