In April, the Japanese government decided to release treated water from TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company) Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the ocean. After removing radioactive materials, TEPCO stored treated water in tanks. The water, however, still contains tritium, a radioactive substance, which cannot be removed at the purification facility. According to the Japanese government, the treated water, which now comes to about 1.20 million tons, will be further diluted with seawater to decrease the concentration of radioactive substances to the same level of drinking water, before being released into the ocean. Tritium is also produced in nuclear power stations during normal operations, and treated water is released into the ocean at nuclear facilities around the world. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the U.S. government have recognized that the decision made by the Japanese government is consistent with international safety standards. However, a few countries have voiced opposition or concern because the water is often reported as being “contaminated water.” In Japan, the media have mixed up the terms “contaminated water” and “treated water” in their reports, confusing people. In the end, it’s always the local farmers and fishermen who are worst affected. It has been pointed out that while the media seems to be expressing concern over unfounded rumors, they are actually the ones stirring things up.