TOKYO- Japan has initiated the release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean, a move that has sparked strong opposition from China and raised concerns in the region.

Approved by the Japanese government two years ago and endorsed by the UN nuclear watchdog, this discharge is a critical step in the complex decommissioning process of the Fukushima Daiichi plant, which includes the challenging task of removing molten fuel.

The release, which began at 1:03 p.m. local time, has drawn fierce criticism from China, with their nuclear safety administration accusing Japan of prioritizing its interests over global well-being. China has pledged to protect the marine environment, food safety, and public health while closely monitoring radiation levels in its waters.

Japan asserts the safety of this release, supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which deems its impact negligible. However, it has faced opposition from Japanese fishing groups fearing reputational damage and sales loss, as well as export restrictions in key markets.

Hong Kong and Macau, under Chinese rule, are set to implement bans on Japanese seafood from specific regions. The release will occur gradually over 17 days, starting with 7,800 cubic meters of water, containing low levels of tritium well below safety limits.

While protests have erupted in Japan and South Korea, South Korea's government has found no scientific or technical issues with the release.

This decision is rooted in the catastrophic events of March 2011 when a massive earthquake and tsunami caused meltdowns in three Fukushima reactors, making this water release a pivotal step in the plant's decommissioning process.