Japan is set to begin releasing over 1 million metric tons of treated radioactive water from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean starting Thursday. Though the International Atomic Energy Agency has deemed the plan safe, it has faced opposition from fishing groups and neighboring countries. The Japanese government announced the plan two years ago, considering it a key step in decommissioning the Fukushima plant.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that the treated water would start to be released on Aug. 24 if weather and sea conditions allow. He also mentioned that he had personally met with fishermen on Monday. In 2011, a massive earthquake unleashed a tsunami that wrecked the Fukushima plant, causing one of history's worst nuclear disasters.

More than a decade later, the plan to release the radioactive water used to cool the damaged reactors remains controversial. The South Korean government stated that although there are "no scientific or technical problems with the plan," it didn't necessarily agree with the decision. China has also opposed the plan, urging Japan to "dispose of the nuclear-contaminated water in a responsible manner and accept rigorous international oversight."

Tokyo Electric Power Company, responsible for the plant's decommissioning, said that it would "quickly make preparations to commence discharge with the utmost vigilance." The IAEA will maintain a presence at the plant to "monitor and assess these activities on site to ensure that they continue to be consistent with the safety standards."