Japan starts 22nd round of nuclear-contaminated water discharge

An aerial photo shows Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Fukushima Prefecture on May 2, 2026. /VCG An aerial photo shows Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Fukushima Prefecture on May 2, 2026. /VCG Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) on Thursday began the 22nd round of discharging of nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the sea.According to TEPCO's plan, the latest discharge will continue through August 17. About 7,800 tonnes of nuclear-contaminated water are expected to be released, containing a total of about 1.3 trillion becquerels of tritium.Japan began discharging nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima plant into the ocean in August 2023 despite strong concerns and opposition from the international community.To date, TEPCO has completed 21 rounds of discharge, releasing a total of about 165,000 tonnes of nuclear-contaminated water.