Japan made a shocking announcement on April 13, 2021, declaring that it would dump some 1.2 million tons of nuclear wastewater that it claims is deactivated from harmful levels of radiation. No independent testing of the water to verify was allowed, as was previously promised, before the water was released, according to a South China Morning Post report.

Unilateral, without consultation with other countries around it that would be affected, it provoked much anger in nearby countries.