Japan's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant discharged 55,011 tonnes of treated nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean during fiscal year 2025, according to operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO). The releases, conducted in seven rounds between April 2025 and March 2026, contained approximately 16 trillion becquerels of radioactive tritium.
TEPCO announced plans to increase discharges to 62,400 tonnes across eight rounds in fiscal year 2026, pending regulatory approvals. The company maintains the process adheres to international safety standards, though marine biologists continue urging independent verification of water treatment efficacy.
Since Japan initiated the controversial ocean discharge program in August 2023, 141,000 tonnes of treated wastewater have entered marine ecosystems. The policy has drawn sustained criticism from regional fishing communities and environmental groups, while multiple Pacific Island nations have called for enhanced monitoring frameworks through the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Market analysts note the discharges have not significantly impacted Japan's seafood exports this year, though consumer sentiment surveys in South Korea and the Chinese mainland show persistent concerns. The Japanese government has allocated ¥80 billion (US$530 million) through 2026 to support domestic fisheries and fund international transparency initiatives.
