Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has met representatives from the fishing industry to seek their understanding regarding the planned release of treated and diluted water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into the sea.

Kishida met senior officials of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations and others at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Monday.

Kishida maintains he is at the final stage on deciding the start date for releasing the water.

He told the head of the fisheries federation, Sakamoto Masanobu, that he takes seriously the fishers' wishes to continue catching fish.

He said as the state will take the helm of the planned release, it will be performed safely. Kishida also explained that necessary measures will continue to be taken by government so fishermen can continue to safely ply their trade.

He said that the government vows to take full responsibility should the water release span several decades.

He also explained that funds will be secured over the long term to deal with reputational damage caused by harmful rumors, which will be allocated separately from the existing budget for the fishing industry.

Kishida asked the representatives for their understanding for the government's plan to release the diluted and treated water.

In reply, Sakamoto said he adheres to his stance that he opposes the release of treated water, which has not won public understanding.

He said that those in the industry have deepened their understanding in regards to safety on a scientific basis, but that it differs from a sense of safety from a social standpoint.

He added that even if science can guarantee safety, it will not completely erase reputational damage.

Taking into account the views expressed at Monday's meeting, the government will have a meeting of relevant ministers on Tuesday to prepare for a swift start of the release of water.