Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has been working to schedule a meeting with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol next week. He plans to explain to Yoon Tokyo's plan to release treated and diluted water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into the sea.

Government sources say arrangements are being made for Kishida and Yoon to meet on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Lithuania that opens next Tuesday. Both leaders are scheduled to attend the gathering.

Kishidais is expected to tell Yoon Japan plans to dilute the water at the plant to reduce the level of radioactive tritium to about one-seventh of the World Health Organization's safety standard for drinking water and begin the discharge in summer.

He will also tell Yoon that Tokyo will take thorough measures to ensure safety and prevent harmful rumors based on a report issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency and seek South Korea's understanding.

The IAEA on Tuesday issued a report on its review of Japan's water discharge plan that says it is consistent with international safety standards.