Tag - water

 
 

WATER

The Fukushima nuclear power plant
JAPAN
Apr 24, 2024
Fukushima water release suspended due to partial power outage
Tepco said the system to cool reactors remained operational and "no meaningful change" had been detected at plant facilities that monitor radioactivity.
Gustavo Caruso (second from right) of the International Atomic Energy Agency meets with officials from Tepco and the Japanese government in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN
Apr 23, 2024
IAEA begins second review of water release from Fukushima plant
The mission is slated to conduct an on-site survey of the nuclear plant and exchange views with Tepco and Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority.
The Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant (background)
JAPAN
Apr 19, 2024
Tepco starts fresh release of treated water from Fukushima nuclear plant
This is the fifth round in total since the water release started in August 2023.
Former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga (left) visits the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant on Monday.
JAPAN
Apr 16, 2024
Ex-PM Suga inspects Fukushima nuclear plant
Suga may have partly intended to demonstrate his presence ahead of three by-elections for the House of Representatives later this month, observers said.
The U.S. military’s Kawakami Ammunition Depot in Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture. High levels of PFAS have been detected in well water around the facility.
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Hiroshima
Apr 15, 2024
U.S.-Japan pact hampers PFAS survey at U.S. facility in Hiroshima
The bilateral Status of Forces Agreement gives exclusive authority to the U.S. forces over the management of their facilities in Japan.
3M’s Cottage Grove, Minnesota factory had been churning out varieties of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances known as PFAS since the 1950s.
ENVIRONMENT / Sustainability
Apr 9, 2024
PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ pervasive in water worldwide, study finds
The study of over 45,000 water samples worldwide found that about 31% of groundwater had levels of the chemicals considered harmful to human health.
People wait to collect drinking water on March 14 amid an ongoing water crisis in Bengaluru, which has been hit by drought.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 2, 2024
India’s most innovative cities are running out of water
Drought is crippling India's tech hubs of Bengaluru and Hyderabad, casting a dark shadow on these cities' attractiveness in the era of climate change.
Children wash their hands with a new public pump installed as part of a climate resilient water system in Inn Chey in Kratie Province.
ENVIRONMENT / Climate change
Mar 31, 2024
Japan sits at the forefront of climate resilient infrastructure in Southeast Asia
Japanese businesses and government agencies are pouring billions of yen into various programs across Cambodia and Southeast Asia to reduce climate risks.
Blue pipelines to transport seawater, part of the facility for releasing treated radioactive water to sea from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, are seen during a treated water dilution and discharge facility tour for media, in Futaba, Fukushima Prefecture, last August.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 31, 2024
Experts from Japan and China discuss Fukushima water release
The two Asian powerhouses have spared over the issue since Japan began releasing the water into the Pacific Ocean last August.
The Monrovia NSU Challenger bulk carrier transits the expanded canal through the Cocoli Locks of the Panama Canal in April 2023.
ENVIRONMENT / Sustainability
Mar 22, 2024
'We all need water': Panama's canal, and people, thirst for more
A severe drought last year caused water levels in Gatun Lake, which provides drinking water and is the main reservoir for the canal, to fall.
Mercian's vineyard in Koshu, Yamanashi Prefecture
BUSINESS / Companies / FOCUS
Mar 18, 2024
Major Japanese beverage groups focusing more on sustainability
Initiatives have diversified to include water source preservation as well as winery tours under the theme of the U.N.'s Sustainable Development Goals.
Officials including Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, inspect equipment used to release treated radioactive water into the sea at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture on Wednesday.
JAPAN
Mar 17, 2024
Fourth discharge of treated Fukushima water completed
Tepco discharged about 7,800 metric tons of processed water in the latest release, which began in late February.
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Thursday
JAPAN
Mar 15, 2024
Japan to give IAEA $20 million to support watchdog's activities
The aid is intended to support the IAEA's efforts to utilize nuclear technology to tackle global challenges.
Towers at the Fukshima No. 1 nuclear power plant visible beyond a port on Sunday
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 13, 2024
China pressing Japan to run compensation system for Fukushima water release
Senior Chinese officials presented the demand to Japan several times last year through diplomatic channels, sources have said.
Fisherman Masahiro Ishibashi (center) unloads a haul of tiger puffers in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, in February.
JAPAN / Society
Mar 6, 2024
Fukushima fishers strive to recover catches amid water concerns
The 2022 catch totaled 5,604 metric tons, roughly 20% of the yearly catch before the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Six months have passed since Japan started releasing treated water from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Mar 4, 2024
Fukushima water release still vexing China-Japan ties
China-bound exports of Japanese fishery products in 2023 plunged by some 30% from the previous year in value terms.
Tanks containing treated radioactive water on the grounds of the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture
JAPAN / Society
Feb 28, 2024
Release of fourth batch of Fukushima treated radioactive water begins
Discharge of 7,800 metric tons of treated water over about 17 days will be the last for the fiscal year ending March.
The operator of the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant will start releasing the fourth round of treated radioactive water into the ocean on Wednesday.
JAPAN
Feb 27, 2024
Treated water from Fukushima plant to be released for the fourth time
The wastewater release first began in August last year despite opposition from countries such as China.
A chef explains Japanese seafood dishes at a promotional event in Sao Paulo in January.
BUSINESS
Feb 25, 2024
Japan diversifying seafood export destinations after China ban
Japan's fisheries industry is finding new buyers in Brazil, Singapore and the U.S. amid China's ban.
Boats are docked at Matsukawaura Fishing Port in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, on Friday.
JAPAN
Feb 24, 2024
Most Japan fishing groups hit by China import ban in Fukushima row
The survey found that 29 out of 36 respondents "had felt" or "had somewhat felt" negative effects, including financial damage due to the water release.

Longform

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.
The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores