Japan has put off a decision to release treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, government sources have said, after reports of a formal decision later this month triggered strong opposition from fishermen.
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiroshi Kajiyama told a news conference Friday the government has no plan to announce a decision on what to do with over 1.2 million tons of treated water as reported.
His remarks came after government sources said last week it would decide on the release of the water on Tuesday. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said last month, during a visit to the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant which suffered meltdowns following the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, that the government wants "to make a decision as soon as possible" on how to deal with the water.