August 23, Wednesday, 2023

1. The release of treated and diluted water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is scheduled to happen on Thursday. Ahead of the discharge, Japan’s industry minister called on people to enjoy marine products from the country’s northeastern region. He reassured the public that the items are safe. Nishimura Yasutoshi attended an event in Tokyo featuring seafood from across the country. 2. Scorching heat is continuing across Japan on Wednesday, with temperatures reaching extremely high levels from the morning in the eastern and northern parts of the country. Temperatures are projected to rise even further later in the day. Highs are expected to reach 39 degrees in Kitaakita City, Akita Prefecture, and 38 degrees in cities of Niigata, Toyama and Yamagata Prefecture’s Sakata. 3. Sake brewers in the western Japanese city of Kami have begun preparations for their first brew of the sake season using newly harvested rice. Sake brewing normally takes place during the winter months, but some brewers in Kochi Prefecture start preparing every August using rice harvested in the prefecture in summer.