Japan Begins Releasing Radioactive Water From Fukushima Power Plant Into the Ocean

Japan Begins Releasing , Radioactive Water From Fukushima , Power Plant Into the Ocean.

On August 24, Japan began releasing treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean.

Reuters reports that the move prompted China to place an immediate ban on all aquatic products from Japan.

According to China's customs bureau, Beijing is , "highly concerned about the risk of radioactive contamination brought by... Japan's food and agriculture products.".

Two years ago, the Japanese government approved the plan to release radioactive water into the ocean.

Last month, the United Nations nuclear watchdog approved the move.

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Reuters reports that discharging the treated radioactive water is a critical step toward decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi plant.

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Reuters reports that discharging the treated radioactive water is a critical step toward decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi plant.

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In 2011, three of the nuclear power plant's reactors experienced meltdowns after a massive earthquake triggered a devastating tsunami.

China has expressed concerns regarding the plan, accusing the Japanese government of failing to prove that the treated water is safe.

Japan has countered that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has concluded that the release would have a "negligible" impact on people and the environment.

According to Japan's environment minister, monitoring will be conducted around the area where the water is released, and weekly results will be published beginning on August 27