Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi and the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency agreed Tuesday to keep working together to analyze the impact of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima power plant.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi is visiting Japan for the first time since the release began in August 2023, amid continued criticism of Japan by China over the discharge of "nuclear-contaminated water" into the sea from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex.
At the outset of their meeting, Hayashi said the IAEA's involvement in the releasing of the treated water "remains important," adding that Japan "would like to continue working closely" with the international organization "until the last drop is discharged."
Grossi told Hayashi, Japan's top government spokesman, that Tokyo and the IAEA marked a "very important milestone last year" and pledged to join hands with Japan to tackle the water issue.
In July 2023, the IAEA submitted a report to Japan concluding that the water release aligns with global safety standards and that the discharge would have a "negligible radiological impact on people and the environment."
Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Grossi signed a document of cooperation last year between Japan and the U.N. nuclear watchdog on the water release from the Fukushima plant, which suffered meltdowns following a devastating earthquake and ensuing tsunami in March 2011.
Kamikawa and Grossi confirmed in September 2023 that the IAEA will continue to watch and evaluate the effects of the discharge on the maritime environment in the Pacific Ocean.
During his stay in Japan, Grossi, who last visited the Asian country in July 2023, is scheduled to inspect the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant and exchange views on the water release with local fishermen.
China imposed a blanket import ban on all seafood products from Japan after the discharge of the treated water began, while Tokyo has urged Beijing to lift the restriction immediately, arguing that the release is being carried out safely.
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