Japan’s controversial plan to release treated wastewater from its Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean has sparked concern and outrage both at home and abroad.

Yesterday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) approved Japan’s plans to dump into the ocean about 1.33 million tons of contaminated water stored at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, which was severely damaged after the earthquake and the tsunami of March 11, 2011;

After a two-year review, the IAEA announced that Japan’s plans were in line with international safety standards and would have “negligible radioactive impact on people and the environment.”

“The reality may be different”

Today, the head of the Agency, Rafael Grossi, met with residents of Fukushima in an attempt to reassure them.

Mainly fishermen in the area are concerned that consumers will not buy their fish, fearing that it will be contaminated.

However, during a visit to Iwaki, about 60 kilometers from the nuclear plant, Grossi admitted there were concerns.

“All these graphs and complicated statistics are one thing, but the reality, the reality of people, the reality of the economy, the reality of social mood and perceptions may be different,” he admitted before residents and local officials.

The head of the IAEA however emphasized that the organization’s role is not to “cover up” something “bad”.

“This is not an exception, a strange plan drawn up exclusively to be implemented here,” he assured, and emphasized that “this is a more general practice that is accepted and has been tested in many regions, all over the world.”

However, he said he had no “magic wand” to assuage residents’ concerns, but promised the agency would set up a permanent office in the area to oversee the process.

Strong reactions in China and South Korea

In addition to local fishermen and activists, Japan’s neighboring countries such as China and South Korea oppose Tokyo’s plans as activists take to the streets.

South Korean consumers are buying sea salt and other items in droves as concerns about their safety grow.

South Korean authorities say they will closely monitor the salt flats for any increase in radioactivity.

China has also criticized Japan’s plan to dump the waters, accusing it of a lack of transparency and saying it poses a threat to the marine environment and human health around the world.