Japan is releasing radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. Fukushima was hit by a huge earthquake and tsunami in 2011. The power plant was badly damaged, so the power company stored radioactive water in 1,000 giant tanks. It is now being released into the ocean through a long tunnel. Japan stated that the water is safe and would not harm the environment. The International Atomic Energy Agency said the water meets international safety standards. It said the water would cause no harm to people.
Countries near Japan are angry that the water is going into the Pacific. Japanese fishermen are also worried about selling their fish. China has banned seafood from Fukushima and the capital city, Tokyo. China said the release of the water was wrong. It asked Japan to stop. It said: "Japan is putting its own self-interest over the long-term well-being of all humankind". Hong Kong is worried about food safety. It will stop importing some Japanese food. South Korean activists have also protested. However, Seoul said the water meets international standards.
Try the same news story at these levels:
Fukushima - Level 0, Fukushima - Level 1 or Fukushima - Level 3
Sources- https://edition.cnn.com/2023/08/21/asia/japan-fukushima-wastewater-release-decision-intl-hnk/index.html
- https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-release-fukushima-water-into-ocean-starting-aug-24-2023-08-22/
- https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230822/p2g/00m/0na/033000c
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