Dumping Radioactive Water Into Sea Won’t Solve Japan’s Issues

Japan will need to build more storage tanks for the contaminated water.

Containment Issues

Japan’s upcoming plans to dump more than 1.2 million tons of radioactive water from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant into the ocean will probably not solve their water storage problems, according to a report from The Ashai Shimbun.

Investigators at the Japanese newspaper discovered that the amount of contaminated water planned to be discharged into the ocean would ultimately be less than the current rain- and groundwater intake levels. 

That means that the Japanese government will need to build additional storage tanks to hold the water. 

“The results appear so sobering,” a Japanese official said to The Asahi Shimbun. “More storage tanks will have to be built.”

Dirty Water

The country’s decision to dump the water into the ocean came with intense global backlash including from neighboring countries like Korea and China. 

Despite assurances from the Japanese government that the water would be diluted to the point where it was safe to use and even drink, many remained unconvinced. 

“A Japanese official said it is okay if we drink this water, so then please drink it,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry official Zhao Lijian to reporters at The Mainichi.  

Strange Bedfellows

Meanwhile, the US government has weighed in on the issue and sided with the Japanese government’s decision to dump the water into the sea. 

“The US is confident that the government of Japan is in very full consultation with the International Atomic Energy Agency,” US climate envoy John Kerry said at a press conference, according to Insider.

Admittedly, it’s easy for the US to say that considering they’re thousands of miles away from the country and don’t have to deal with the literal fallout of dumping radioactive water into the nearby area.

READ MORE: Even with water release, nuclear plant needs more storage tanks [The Asahi Shimbun]

More on Fukushima: United States Supports Plan to Dump Radioactive Water into Ocean

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