The Fukushima accident

 

Demonstration against the plan to release the Fukushima reactor cooling water into the sea. Lee Jin-man / AP 

  

The Fukushima accident 

Concerns are growing as Japan is expected to release cooling water into the sea  

 

Japan's plan to release the cooling water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea is causing anger and concern both at home and abroad, the BBC reports. The plan has been known for two years and was given the thumbs up by the UN Atomic Energy Agency IAEA earlier this week.  

 

Among other things, the fishing industry in Japan feels threatened and fears that people will stop buying fish and shellfish from the area when the radioactive water is released.  

 

- We fishermen have no choice but to react emotionally and strengthen our attitude, says the chairman of the local fishermen's union Tetsu Nozaki according to AFP.  

 

China's criticism is loudest – the neighboring country accuses Japan of treating the sea as "its private sewer".  

 

Rafael Grossi during his visit to Japan. Eugene Hoshiko / AP  

 

The Fukushima accident  

The UN's nuclear chief wants to reassure Fukushima's residents 

 

Rafael Grossi, head of the UN's atomic energy agency IAEA, has tried to reassure the residents of Japan's Fukushima that the plan to release radioactive water into the sea is safe.  

 

- This is, as the IAEA certifies, the general practice that has been agreed upon and is being followed in many, many places around the world, he said at a meeting with local representatives, according to several news agencies. 

 

It happens after the IAEA on Tuesday gave the final go-ahead to release cooling water from the nuclear power reactors that were destroyed in the 2011 tsunami and earthquake disaster.