The government decided Friday to compile by the end of this year an action plan for discharging treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean.

Following the decision Tuesday to start releasing water in small amounts in about two years' time, Cabinet ministers also agreed during their first meeting on the matter to set up a working group to hold hearings to prevent unfounded rumors from causing reputational damage to marine products from the area.

"We will proactively take swift measures to deepen understanding of people in Japan and overseas," said Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato of the decision to discharge the water, which will be diluted before its release.