Japan to Assess Its Dumping of Toxic Water...you can make a donate right here''

TOKYO—The Japanese government will provide new details on the deliberate discharge of 10,000 tons of low-level radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean in an acknowledgment of criticism both at home and abroad that it should have provided more advance notice.

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Associated Press

Japanese Emperor Akihito, left, and Empress Michiko, visit an evacuation shelter in Asahi City Thursday, during their first trip to the disaster zone since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

The dumping—which began April 4 and is continuing, although government officials say the flow has eased significantly—was an emergency move undertaken by plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Co. to make room at the site to store water with much-higher radiation readings. While the government approved the dumping, it was criticized by China and South Korea as well as the local fishing industry over the potential impact on the ocean.

Hidehiko Nishiyama, senior official and spokesman at the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, said Thursday that Japan has a responsibility to provide additional information because "there are countries that are worried about the impact of the operation on the ocean." Japan's disclosure will include its own assessment of the dumping, including the amount of water as well as the radiation levels involved.
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