The International Atomic Energy Agency says that its director general will visit Japan this month to inspect the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

The UN nuclear watchdog announced on Tuesday that Director General Rafael Grossi will visit Japan from February 18 to 20 to inspect the plant in Fukushima Prefecture, the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in Niigata Prefecture and other facilities.

Grossi spoke to NHK on Tuesday during his visit to Ukraine's capital Kyiv.

Referring to his upcoming trip to Japan, he said another round of monitoring under the IAEA framework will take place to confirm the safety of the treated water release into the ocean. The last inspection was conducted in October last year.

He emphasized the importance of the visit, noting that he will preside over a "new round of monitoring with international presence." He added that experts from China, France and other nations will take part in the monitoring.

Grossi stressed the significance of this inspection, saying that the matter has been a source of tension between China and Japan. He added that the measure will give "confidence to the regional countries."

Grossi also revealed that he will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and said he is honored to engage with the new government. He emphasized the importance of the visit and added that he is looking forward to the occasion.

Water used to cool molten fuel at the plant has been mixing with rain and groundwater. The accumulated water is being treated to remove most radioactive substances, but it still contains tritium.

Before releasing the treated water into the ocean, the plant's operator dilutes it to reduce the tritium levels to about one-seventh of the World Health Organization's guidance level for drinking water.