Chinese media have condemned the Japanese government's decision to start releasing treated and diluted water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant as early as Thursday.

The state-run China Central Television described the treated water as nuclear contaminated wastewater in a broadcast on Tuesday. It said the way Japan is trying to force through its plan has elicited doubts and protests from various directions.

The Chinese government has repeatedly criticized the plan, calling it selfish and irresponsible. State-run media have been reporting on protests in Japan and South Korea on an almost-daily basis.

Water used to cool molten fuel at the Fukushima Daiichi plant gets mixed with rain and groundwater. The accumulated water has been treated to remove most radioactive substances but still contains tritium.

The government plans to dilute the treated water to reduce tritium levels to about one-seventh of the World Health Organization's guidelines for drinking water before releasing it into the sea.