A year ago, Tokyo Electric Power Company began releasing treated and diluted water from its Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea.

In the eighth and latest round of the project, about 62,800 tons of the water were discharged by August 25.

Amid the move, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio visited the city of Iwaki in Fukushima Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, to check on the situation.

He went to Onahama fish market, tasted fish caught off Fukushima and held talks with representatives of the Fukushima Prefectural Federation of Fisheries Co-operative Associations.

The representatives asked the government to ensure safety in decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi plant as one mistake can damage trust that has been built up.

S/ Kishida Fumio, Japanese Prime Minister / I felt the high quality and good taste of fish caught off Fukushima that transcend reputational damage.

Kishida said the water release is a major premise for decommissioning the plant.

He also said he takes seriously the suspension of work to remove nuclear fuel debris from the No. 2 reactor that was scheduled to begin on August 22.