Japan to finalize decision to dump Fukushima wastewater into sea 'within days': PM

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said on Monday that his government cannot put off the decision to dispose of radioactive wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea any longer and that he wants to finalize the decision "within days".

Suga told a lower house committee that releasing the treated radioactive water will be unavoidable for the recovery from the nuclear accident triggered by the massive 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

The plant has been generating massive amount of radiation-tainted water since the accident happened as it needs water to cool the reactors. The water, stored in tanks at the plant in Japan's northeast, is expected to reach capacity next year.

The water has been treated using an advanced liquid processing system, or ALPS, to remove most contaminants. However, things like radioactive tritium are hard to filter out.

According to local media reports, the Japanese government appears set to formally announce the final decision in a meeting of related ministers on Tuesday.

The plan is not only facing fierce opposition from the Japanese fish industry and the public, but also doubts from neighboring countries.

South Korea on Monday voiced "grave concerns", with foreign ministry spokesman Choi Young-sam saying "it will be difficult to accept if the Japanese side decides to release the contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant without sufficient consultations".