International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, left, and Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, right, shake hands during their meeting at the prime minister's office Tuesday, March 12, 2024, in Tokyo.
The discharges have been strongly opposed by fishing groups and neighboring countries including China, which banned all imports of Japanese seafood immediately after the release began. Grossi will also meet with Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Economy and Industry Minister Ken Saito to discuss cooperation in nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, North Korea and Iran as well as peaceful use of atomic energy, Japanese officials said.
The soil has been stored in an interim storage facility in Fukushima. The government has promised a final disposal plan outside of the prefecture by 2045.