The International Atomic Energy Agency on Tuesday began its first safety review on Japan's discharge of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant into the sea since it began in August.
The IAEA task force involves experts from 11 countries, including China and Russia, which have severely criticized the discharge and imposed bans on Japanese seafood imports.
The government said the same day that the bans are not based on scientific evidence and are "extremely regrettable," calling for the immediate lifting of the restrictions.