Japan begins 22nd release of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated wastewater into oceanJuly 31, 2026, https://en.people.cn/n3/2026/0731/c90000-20483845.htmlJapan on Thursday began a new round of discharge of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the sea, marking the 22nd such release since the controversial operation began in 2023. The latest discharge, also the fourth round of wastewater release for fiscal 2026, is scheduled to continue through Aug. 17. In the fiscal year that began in April, TEPCO plans to release a total of about 62,400 tonnes of wastewater in eight rounds. Despite concerns and opposition from the international community, Japan unilaterally launched the ocean discharge of nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi plant in August 2023. So far, TEPCO has completed 21 rounds of discharges, and around 165,000 tonnes of wastewater have been released into the sea.