This file photo taken in August 2022 shows tanks storing treated radioactive water on the premises of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. (Kyodo)
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The following is a chronology of events related to the Japanese government's decision to release into the sea treated radioactive water from Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.'s six-reactor Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which suffered core meltdowns for some of its reactors due to an earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011.
March 11, 2011 -- Magnitude-9.0 earthquake and ensuing tsunami triggers nuclear crisis at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi plant, resulting in loss of power at facilities of Nos. 1-4 reactors.
Nos. 1-3 reactors subsequently suffer core meltdowns, as plant generates massive amounts of radiation-tainted water in effort to cool reactors.
March 2013 -- Japanese government begins trial operations for advanced liquid processing system, or ALPS, which removes all radioactive materials other than tritium from contaminated water.
April 2016 -- Government panel proposes five options for disposing of ALPS-treated water, estimating that releasing it into ocean would be least costly and most time-efficient choice.
February 2020 -- Government subcommittee releases report stating that releasing radioactive water into ocean and disposal through evaporation both attainable options.
April 2020 -- International Atomic Energy Agency expresses support for subcommittee's findings.
June 2020 -- National federation of fisheries cooperatives, known as JF Zengyoren, unanimously adopts special resolution at general meeting opposing release of radioactive materials into ocean.
March 2021 -- Japan's industry minister Hiroshi Kajiyama and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi say they will work together on seeking path forward after policy on treated water decided.
April 13, 2021 -- Government decides to discharge treated water into ocean.
July 2021 -- Japan and IAEA agree to conduct safety review of planned water release.
January 2023 -- Government announces treated water likely to be discharged in spring or summer.
July 4 -- IAEA chief Grossi visits Japan, with results of safety review saying discharge plan "consistent" with international safety standards, handed to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
July 2023 -- China starts blanket radiation testing on seafood imports from Japan.
Aug. 20 -- Kishida visits Fukushima nuclear plant.
Aug. 21 -- Kishida meets with head of Japan's national fisheries federation to gain further understanding of discharge plan.
Aug. 22 -- Government decides to begin discharge of treated water into sea on Aug. 24.
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