Japan's nuclear energy regulator has approved details of a planned release into the sea next year of treated radioactive wastewater from the devastated Fukushima nuclear power plant, AP reported.. NEWS.

The approval of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority will allow Tokyo Electric Power Co.. start building the necessary structures before the dump. A preliminary "

Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings unveiled the plan in December, based on last year's government decision to release sewage as a necessary step for the plant's ongoing decommissioning..

A powerful earthquake and tsunami in 2011 destroyed the cooling systems of the Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant, which led to the release of large amounts of radiation. Water used to cool the three damaged reactor cores, which remain highly radioactive, seeped into the basements of the reactor buildings but was collected and stored in tanks.

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Local fishing communities and neighboring countries have raised concerns about potential health hazards from radioactive wastewater, which TEPCO and government officials say will be treated well below acceptable levels.. They claim that environmental and health impacts will be negligible.

Japan's nuclear chief Toyoshi Fuketa told reporters on Friday that the release plan had no major technical or safety issues.. He said regulators will ensure strict adherence to approved procedures and transparency.

The government and TEPCO say that of the more than 60 isotopes selected for processing, all but one, tritium, will be reduced to meet safety standards.. Scientists say the effects of long-term exposure to low doses of tritium on the environment and humans are not yet known.. According to them, tritium affects humans more when it is consumed in fish..

Contaminated water is stored in about 1,000 tanks at the damaged station. Officials say they need to be removed so facilities can be built to decommission the station..

TEPCO said it plans to transport treated and releaseable water via pipeline from tanks to an offshore facility, where it will be diluted with sea water and then sent through an underwater tunnel with an exit about 1 kilometer offshore to minimize impact on local fishing and.

The government and TEPCO have yet to obtain the consent of local residents for the construction of the tunnel and other related facilities.. They plan to begin the gradual discharge of treated water in the spring of 2023.

China on Friday reiterated its protest over the planned wastewater disposal and urged Japan to dispose of it in a "

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Wang Wenbin demanded that Japan "

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Japan has asked the International Atomic Energy Agency for help to ensure that the water release meets international safety standards and to reassure local fishermen and other communities, as well as neighboring countries, who oppose the plan..

IAEA experts visited the plant earlier this year and said that Japan was taking appropriate steps to deal with the planned release.

In a Friday announcement, TEPCO vowed to respond sincerely to the IAEA audit results, ensure safety, provide data to the public, and strengthen radiation monitoring.. The company also promised to do its best to explain the plans for water release and to achieve public understanding regarding the decommissioning of the nuclear power plant..