Audio By Carbonatix
The Japanese government says tests of seawater from around the Fukushima nuclear power plant are showing no detectable levels of radioactivity.
It is seeking to allay concerns from neighbouring countries and fishing groups about the release of treated water from the plant into the ocean.
Weekly test results will be published for the next three months.
More than a million tonnes of water stored at the nuclear plant will be discharged over the next 30 years.
It has been accumulating since 2011 when the plant was badly damaged by a tsunami.
Japan says the water is safe, and the UN's nuclear watchdog has approved the plan, but critics say the release should be halted.
The water is being filtered to remove most radioactive elements then diluted to reduce levels of tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen which is difficult to separate from water.
The Environment Ministry said samples from 11 locations near the plant showed tritium levels below 7-8 becquerels per litre, the lower limit of detection.
The water "would have no adverse impact on human health and the environment", it added.
The test results came after China described the discharge as an "extremely selfish and irresponsible act".
On Thursday it said it would block all imports of Japanese seafood.
There has also been opposition to the release of water in South Korea, and on Thursday protesters in the capital Seoul attempted to storm the Japanese embassy.
On Sunday, South Korea said it had sent nuclear experts to Fukushima to monitor the discharge process.
Latest Stories
-
Church of Pentecost supports over 2,000 BECE candidates in Obuasi with career guidance seminar
9 minutes -
Brandon Asante and Coventry all but promoted to Premier League despite Sheffield Wednesday draw
31 minutes -
GPL 2025/26: Late Kwartemaa strike downs Hearts in Tema
37 minutes -
Ghana Faces Sierra Leone Moment as Prosecutorial Powers come under strain
47 minutes -
Don’t consume fish or seafood from Tema Shipyard until further notice – FDA warns
52 minutes -
Why volunteering might be Africa’s most underrated career accelerator
58 minutes -
ActionAid Ghana raises concern over gender gaps in Feed Ghana Programme
60 minutes -
Windstorm wreaks havoc in Gushegu, displacing nearly 2,000 residents and damaging schools
1 hour -
Friends of Bridget Bonnie Marks her 35th birthday with donation to Kasseh Model Health Centre
2 hours -
From Ekumfi Kokodo to the Pulpit Stage: Essi Donkor’s gospel journey takes shape
2 hours -
Landfilling waste management creates no value, it’s an economic waste
2 hours -
Photos: Speaker Bagbin Commissions MPs constituency office under parliamentary decentralisation programme
3 hours -
Black Stars technical advisor Winfried Schäfer sacked as GFA shakes up backroom staff
3 hours -
Wenchi water project almost complete, critical to gov’t agenda – GWL MD
3 hours -
Anti-LGBTQ+ bill not part of government’s legislative agenda – Inusah Fuseini
3 hours