TOKYO, April 9 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese government may announce as early as Tuesday plans to dispose of radioactive wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean, sources with knowledge of the matter said Friday.
The sources said the government will convene a meeting of relevant ministers and announce the decision as early as next Tuesday to formalize plans to release radioactive water that has accumulated at the plant into the Pacific Ocean.
While treated, the radiation-tainted water, stored in tanks at the plant in Japan's northeast, is expected to reach capacity next year.
The plant had its key cooling functions knocked out after being battered by a massive earthquake-triggered tsunami a decade ago, resulting in the world's worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl in 1986.
The tainted water contains radioactive tritium as a result of being used to cool down melted nuclear fuel at the plant in Fukushima Prefecture.
Japan's fisheries industry has voiced its ardent opposition to the plan which may start in around two years according to the plant's operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. (TEPCO), as the plan could cause further damage to the industry's reputation.
Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiroshi Kajiyama said on Friday that while working on the concerns of the fisheries industry, the government hopes to seek cooperation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other global organizations, while maintaining transparency over the matter.
A number of countries and regions continue to impose restrictions on Japanese agricultural and fishery products as a result of the Fukushima crisis amid continued concerns about the safety of the produce.
Meanwhile, Some of Japan's neighbors have voiced their concerns about radioactive wastewater being discharged into the Pacific. Enditem
