Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio plans to seek understanding about the release of treated and diluted water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea at international meetings next week.

The move comes amid China's opposition to the release, which started on August 24.

Kishida is scheduled to visit Indonesia and India during a seven-day tour that begins on September 5. He will attend summit meetings with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Group of 20 economies.

The prime minister plans to take the opportunity to seek international understanding. This comes as China continues to intensify its criticism of Japan.

China suspended all imports of Japanese seafood after the discharge from the Fukushima plant began.

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant suffered a triple meltdown in the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Water used to cool molten fuel at the plant has been mixing with rain and groundwater.

The accumulated water is treated to remove most radioactive substances, but still contains tritium. Before releasing the treated water into the sea, the plant's operator dilutes it to reduce tritium levels to about one-seventh of the World Health Organization's guidelines for drinking water.

Kishida plans to explain that the release poses no safety risks, as scientific standards are being met. He also intends to make it clear that Japan will continue to deliver information on the matter in a highly transparent manner.

A Japanese official said the government wants to take this opportunity to show other countries that China's decision to impose a complete ban on Japanese seafood imports is not based on scientific evidence.

Observers are waiting to see whether Kishida will have a chance to speak with Chinese leaders individually. Chinese Premier Li Qiang is expected to attend the ASEAN meeting, and it is likely that President Xi Jinping will take part in the G20 summit meeting.