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Japan releases Fukushima water into the ocean

Fukushima - Level 0

Japan is putting water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean. A 2011 earthquake and tsunami damaged the plant. Japan said the water is safe and would not harm the environment. The International Atomic Energy Agency said the water meets international safety standards.

Japan's neighbours are angry. China has banned seafood from Fukushima. China says releasing the water is wrong. It said Japan is only thinking about itself and not the world. Hong Kong is worried about food safety. It will stop buying some Japanese food. However, South Korea said the water meets international standards.

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Fukushima - Level 1

Japan is releasing water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. The plant was badly damaged in a 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The power company stored radioactive water in giant tanks. Japan said 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 not harm people.

Japan's neighbours are angry that the water is going into the Pacific. China has banned seafood from Fukushima. China said releasing the water was wrong. It said: "Japan is putting its own self-interest over the…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.

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Fukushima - Level 2

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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.

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Fukushima - Level 3

Japan has started releasing radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean. The plant was hit by a huge earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. After the power plant was damaged, the power company stored radioactive water in 1,000 giant tanks. The water has been treated to reduce its radioactivity. It is now being slowly released into the Pacific Ocean through a long sea tunnel. Japan stated that the water is safe and would not harm the environment. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said the water meets with international safety standards. It said there would be a "negligible radiological impact on people and the environment".

Many people in Japan, as well as countries near Japan, are angry that radioactive water is going into the Pacific. Local fishermen are worried they will not be able to sell their fish. China has already banned seafood from Fukushima and the capital city, Tokyo. China's foreign ministry called the release of the water a "wrongful decision" and asked Japan to stop. A spokesperson said: "Japan is putting its own self-interest over the long-term well-being of all humankind". Hong Kong is also worried about food safety. It said it would "immediately" stop importing some Japanese food products. South Korean activists have also protested, although Seoul understood that the water meets international standards.

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