THE tsunami-wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant ‘s operator says it began releasing its first batch of treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday —acontroversial step,butamilestoneforJapan’s battlewiththegrowingradioactive water stockpile. In a live video from a control room at the plant, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings showedastaffmember turn onaseawater pump with a click of a mouse, marking the beginning of the controversialprojectthatisexpected to last for decades. “Seawater Pump A activated,” the main operator said, confirming the release was underway.

 

TEPCO later confirmedthattheseawaterpump was activated at 1:03 PM(0403 GMT), three minutes afterthe finalstepbegan.Itsaidanadditional wastewater release pump was activated 20 minutes after the first. Plant officials said everythingwasmoving smoothly so far. Japanese fisher groups have opposedtheplanforfearitwill further damage to the reputation of their seafood. Groups inChinaandSouthKorea have also raised concern, making it apoliticalanddiplomaticissue. But the Japanese governmentandTEPCO saythewater mustbereleasedtomakeroom for the plant’s decommissioning and to prevent accidental leaks. They say the treatment and dilution will make the wastewater safer than international standards.

 

 

(AP) CHINESEcustoms authorities banned seafood from Japan in response to the FukushimaDaiichinuclear power plant starting its wastewater release on Thursday,customsauthorities said. The ban starts immediately and will affect all imports of “aquatic products” including seafood.