Japan starts nuclear wastewater discharge into the Pacific Ocean

Despite several criticisms, Japan has started releasing the treated radioactive wastewater from its Fukushima nuclear plant from 4pm today.

State-owned electricity firm Tokyo Electric Power Company says it expects to discharge only around 200 or 210 cubic metres of treated wastewater.

From Friday, it plans to then continuously release 456 cubic metres of treated nuclear wastewater over a 24-hour period and a total of 7,800 cubic metres over a 17-day period.

While speaking during a press conference, Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Henry Puna says there might be a regret but it is not a surprise that it is happening.

Puna says he is assured by the commitment given by the Prime Minister of Japan that the release will not be starting until Japan it is satisfied that all safety measures have been taken and the water will be safe for the citizens of Japan and the Pacific island states.

He says that is a commitment that he is sure Pacific leaders will be holding Japan fully accountable to.

Puna says what they need to focus on now is holding Japan accountable for the guarantees and undertaking to ensure that if the water is not safe based on International Atomic Energy Agency and Tokyo Electric Power Company on the ground in Fukushima, then the discharge will not continue until the steps have been taken to make sure that the water is safe.

He says the guarantee from IAEA is they will be establishing a presence on the ground and Fukushima to continually monitor the safety of the water that is being released.

Puna says he will also be holding the Prime Minister and government of Japan to their commitment to the Forum that they will not allow the discharge to go ahead unless they are satisfied based on scientific evidence that it is safe to do so.