A fisheries association in Fukushima Prefecture has conveyed to the industry minister its concerns over a plan to release into the sea treated and diluted water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

The head of the association, Konno Toshimitsu, and others visited the industry ministry in Tokyo on Wednesday to meet minister Nishimura Yasutoshi. They expressed concern over possible reputational damage from the release. It was the first time that a fishing association directly conveyed its opinions on the matter to a Cabinet minister.

Japan plans to release the treated water after diluting it to reduce tritium levels to one-seventh of the World Health Organization's limit for drinking water. The government aims to start releasing the water by around this summer.

The fishery cooperative has opposed the plan.

The government has set up funds to deal with reputational damage and to support the fishing industry. It has also held briefing sessions in local municipalities to gain understanding.

But the cooperative says local fishers' opinions are not reflected in government measures, and that its members still have concerns.

Konno asked Nishimura why the water must be released from Fukushima. He also expressed concern that they might suffer reputational damage again after their efforts to recover from the nuclear accident.

Konno said after the meeting that he delivered opinions directly to Nishimura, in the hope that he does not waste the efforts of local fishers to rebuild their industry.

He said he opposes the water release and wants the government to take responsibility for possible reputational damage.

Earlier this month, experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency completed their final safety assessment of Japan's plan to release the treated water.

The government plans to use the IAEA's report, to be issued in the near future, to support its case for the release while addressing concerns of local authorities and residents near the plant.