(VOVWORLD) - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Thursday opened an office at the Fukushima nuclear power plant to monitor Japan’s release of treated water stored at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station into the sea.
 IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi (L) is in Japan on July 5, 2023. (Photo Kyodo) |
The office was inaugurated during a visit by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi to the nuclear power plant, one day after the IAEA released a certifying that the approach and activities to the discharge of treated water taken by Japan are consistent with relevant international safety standards.
The IAEA‘s safety review will continue during the discharge phase. The Agency will also have a continuous on-site presence and provide live online monitoring on its website from the discharge facility. This will ensure the relevant international safety standards continue to be applied throughout the decades-long process, said Grossi.
Japan’s Nuclear Management Agency said it will issue licenses to units of Japan’s Tokyo Electric Power Company at Fukushima regarding the water discharge after the Agency has completed the inspection of the transport, dilution, and discharge procedures. There is no official decision from the Japanese government on the time to begin to discharge. But the Japanese media said the earliest time could be August.