Japan’s Release of Wastewater from Fukushima: What Role for the Law of the Sea?

Abstract In March 2011, a powerful earthquake off the east coast of Japan triggered a tsunami leading to a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. A consequence of this accident was the accumulation of contaminated wastewater at the nuclear power plant. Japan’s announcement that, following treatment, this wastewater would be released into the ocean over a 30-year period from 2023 raised environmental concerns. This article provides background context to this issue, briefly notes how certain environmental instruments are not applicable, before discussing the potential relevance of the international law of the sea.