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
-
National conference on school indiscipline concludes with call for coordinated national action
16 minutes -
Ghana civil society coalition to tackle transnational crime as trafficking forum warns of rising cyber scam exploitation
29 minutes -
Asiedu Nketia urges stronger investment in research to drive Ghana’s economic transformation
58 minutes -
Court of Appeal erred in acquitting Sedina Attionu — Alfred Tuah-Yeboah
1 hour -
REGSEC impounds 9 excavators as anti-galamsey operation intensifies in Obuasi
1 hour -
GHS and International Sickle Cell Centre sign 5-year MoU to strengthen national response to sickle cell disease
1 hour -
Ghana secures $35.5m housing financing as it moves to assess challenges with the sector
1 hour -
Democracy is more than elections; it requires responsible citizens — Ibn Chambas
1 hour -
Evidence against Sedina Attionu was solid; acquittal is strange — Tuah-Yeboah
1 hour -
EU commits additional €4 million to support Ghana’s anti-human trafficking efforts
2 hours -
IJM calls for stronger collaboration to combat human trafficking as 1,200 victims rescued in 2025
2 hours -
Ghana School of Law to hold Criminal Prosecution and Litigation graduation on July 31
2 hours -
Kwaku Asante’s summary of the judgment of the Court of Appeal acquitting Sedina Tamakloe
2 hours -
Democracy is under pressure globally, Ghana must strengthen inclusion — Goosie Tanoh
2 hours -
CAL Asset Management delivers strong as economic recovery boosts investments
2 hours