Japan's neighbors have been reacting to the news of Tokyo's decision to start releasing treated and diluted water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean as early as Thursday.

In South Korea, one official said although Seoul concludes there is no scientific or technical issue with the plan, his government does not support it.

A senior official of South Korea's Office for Government Policy Coordination Park Ku-yeon said, "If the release is not carried out according to the plan, we will take it as a threat to South Korean people's safety and health, and demand the Japanese government to halt the release."

People against the release held a protest in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul.

China had stronger words. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin called Tokyo's decision selfish and irresponsible.

He said, "We urge Japan to correct its wrong decision and withdraw its plan to release contaminated water into the ocean. We will take all the necessary measures to safeguard the marine environment, food safety and public health."

In Hong Kong, authorities have announced marine products from Fukushima, Tokyo and eight other Japanese prefectures will be banned starting Thursday.

The head of the IAEA has reiterated the discharge will have a negligible impact on people and the environment. He says the agency will provide the public with real-time monitoring data.