Japan says plans are underway to release over 1 million tonnes of contaminated water from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear station, into the sea.
Speaking on Tuesday, the government said the work to release the water will begin in about two years, and that the whole process is expected to take decades.
In a statement, Japans government said on the premise of strict compliance with regulatory standards that have been established, they select oceanic release.
The water needs to be filtered again to remove harmful isotopes and will be diluted to meet international standards before any release.
However, China’s foreign ministry on Tuesday criticised the Japanese government’s decision, calling it extremely irresponsible and asking Japan to refrain from initiating the discharge.
On its Ministry website, a spokesman said the action should be held off until after consultations and agreement with all stakeholder countries and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The move, more than a decade after the nuclear disaster, will deal another blow to the fishing industry in Fukushima, which has opposed such a step for years.
Also, the decision comes about three months ahead of the postponed Olympic Games to be hosted by Tokyo, with some events planned as close as 60 km from the wrecked plant.
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