TOKYO: The Japanese government Monday briefed foreign diplomats about a possible plan to release treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power station, including to the sea.

At the briefing, the government stressed that the release of the processed water, which still contains radioactive tritium, is unlikely to cause harm to human health.

Last week, a government panel concluded that the possible release plan is a practical option.

The briefing for foreign diplomats was the 105th about the situation at the Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. plant since it suffered a triple meltdown in the wake of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

The 90-minute session was attended by officials of 23 economies and organizations including South Korea, Taiwan and the European Union, according to government officials.

The participants raised no clear objection to the government's explanation that tritium-containing water has been released from nuclear plants around the world, the officials said.

Asked when the processed water might be released, the government answered that it will hold thorough discussions with local residents on the issue without setting a deadline.

The Fukushima plant is expected to reach its storage capacity for the decontaminated water around summer 2022.

JIJI Press