Drone Explores Fukushima Reactor for First Time, Amid Controversy Over Wastewater Discharges

A groundbreaking drone mission inside a damaged Fukushima reactor aims to gather crucial data on melted fuel, while the release of treated radioactive wastewater into the sea continues to spark international concern.

A small drone successfully flew into one of Fukushima Daiichi's damaged reactors to study areas unreachable by previous robots, marking a significant step in the decommissioning process.
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) released the fourth batch of treated radioactive wastewater into the sea, a move monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency but criticized by fishing groups and China.
The drone mission, limited to a 5-minute flight due to battery life, is part of efforts to develop technology for future probes and to remove melted fuel from the reactor.
About 880 tons of highly radioactive melted nuclear fuel remain inside the three damaged reactors, with critics deeming the 30- to 40-year cleanup target overly optimistic.
China's Foreign Ministry accused Japan of risking global safety with the wastewater discharges, demanding a halt and the establishment of an independent monitoring system.