Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, vowed Thursday to use his agency's transparent and fact-based review process to enhance public confidence in Japan's planned release of treated water into the sea from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant.

Grossi inspected tanks storing treated water and an advanced liquid processing system that removes most radioactive materials from contaminated water except for tritium, during his first visit to the plant, damaged by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, since February 2020.

Speaking to reporters during the visit, the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog stressed that the only way to earn the confidence and trust of the general public further is by "being absolutely open in everything we do" and not hiding anything.