Despite the controversy in the international and environmental community, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga came out to announce his government's approval of a plan

to discharge million tons of treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant in the ocean. It is to be implemented within two years. The Japanese declaration raised the ire not only of States in the region such as South Korea and China, which called on Tokyo to "act rationally," but also of local fishermen who are striving to restore confidence in the fish that is extracted from the region.

However, the Japanese Government maintains that drainage is safe because the water has been treated to remove all radioactive elements.

The plan is supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which considers the discharge of treated water from the reactor to be similar to other operations at nuclear facilities around the world.

"The Japanese Government has pursued basic policies for the discharge of treated water into the ocean, after ensuring the level of water safety while the Government is taking action to prevent any damage to its reputation," Suga told reporters.