Japan started releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday.

According to Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the plant's operator, the water discharge commenced at around 1:00 pm local time (0400 GMT), while concerns and opposition persisting among local fishermen as well as in neighboring countries and Pacific island countries.

▲Protesters hold placards that read "No radiation contaminated water into the sea" during a rally against Japan's plan to discharge treated radioactive water from the tsunami-crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into the ocean, in front of the headquarters of Tokyo Electric Power Company, the operator of the nuclear plant in Tokyo, Japan, August 24, 2023. [Photo/Agencies]

TEPCO said it plans to carry out the first round of release over 17 days to discharge 7,800 tons of the radioactive wastewater.