Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority has formally approved Tokyo Electric Power Company’s (Tepco) plans for the release of treated water from its Fukushima-Daichi nuclear power station into the ocean.
The plan, given initial approval last year, includes standards for the levels of radioactive materials contained in the water when it is released from the station, which has been permanently shut down since a March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
Construction of an undersea tunnel to be used for the water release is expected to be completed by the end of June.
The government and Tepco aim to start discharging the water around spring or summer this year. The process is being monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency.