Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has addressed concerns about the planned release into the Pacific of treated and diluted water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, NHK reported on Tuesday.
He stressed that his government will work to ensure safety and prevent possible reputational damage.
Kishida’s remark came on Tuesday as IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi is visiting Japan to present his agency’s findings on the upcoming release.
The prime minister referred to voices of concern and opposition to the release from the local fishing industry and neighbouring countries.
He said the government will continue providing detailed explanations to both the local and international communities.
The government plans to start releasing the treated water into the sea sometime in the summer.
The government plans to release the treated water, after diluting it to reduce the concentration of tritium to about one-seventh of the World Health Organisation’s safety standards for drinking water.
