TOKYO — Japan plans to release more than 1 million metric tons of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean, a spill to begin later this spring and last for some time or longer. Is.

For a really long time, the contaminated water — more than 500 Olympic-sized pools — has been pumped into huge metal tanks near the plant, the site of possibly the worst nuclear fiasco of all time. . Even so, Japan is running out of space to store more tanks to store groundwater and water that continues to seep into the site.

Shipments from neighboring countries, including South Korea and China, have been unusually politicized. Fukushima’s fishing and rural businesses are also stressed about potential reputational damage to their products, which actually show disrespect for radioactive openness.

The Japanese public is alienated from the arrangement, and many remain skeptical of public authority and the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), which on good days has been blamed for spreading dire reports about the severity of the disaster. Reprimanded.

The Global Nuclear Energy Organization, the worldwide nuclear watchdog, presented its final report on Japan’s arrangements on July 4. Its chief general, Raffaello Grossi, has been visiting Fukushima, Seoul and Pacific island nations to announce the findings and address concerns.