Tokyo Electric Power to Increase Release of Fukushima Contaminated Water

Tokyo Electric Power Company has decided to further increase the annual amount of contaminated water (referred to as "treated water" by the Japanese government) released into the ocean from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

A Tokyo Electric Power Company official is explaining the sample collection device connected to the tanks during the ocean discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (referred to as "treated water" by the Japanese government). Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On January 22, Tokyo Electric Power Company announced that for fiscal year 2026 (April 2026 to March 2027), it plans to discharge 62,400 tons of water over eight rounds.

This represents an increase of approximately 14.3% compared to the 54,600 tons scheduled to be released over seven rounds in fiscal year 2025, which has not yet been completed.

The company explained that, as the discharge operations have continued, it has become possible to shorten the intervals between each round of release.

Tokyo Electric Power Company began the discharge of contaminated water in August 2023 and disposed of 31,200 tons over four rounds by the end of March 2024. In fiscal year 2024, the company released 54,600 tons over seven rounds.