Japan will begin the release of tritium-laced water from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant on Thursday, weather conditions permitting, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Tuesday in a meeting with relevant ministers and other involved parties.
Despite fishing cooperatives' lingering worries of reputational damage and opposition from local residents and neighboring countries, the government will go ahead with its plan, while taking long-term measures in order to safely complete the water discharge.
“Even though operations will last for decades, the government will take responsibility until the release is completed, in order to safely complete the decommissioning of the (Fukushima No. 1) plant and the release of ALPS-treated water, as well as to address the reputational impact and concerns about business activities,” Kishida said in his final remarks, referring to the Advanced Liquid Processing System.