Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has visited the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to inspect preparations for the release of treated and diluted water from the plant into the sea.

On Sunday, Kishida visited the Fukushima Daiichi plant and confirmed the offshore location of outlet to the tunnel that will release the water and also checked other equipment.

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

Rain and groundwater mixes with water used to cool molten fuel at the plant. The accumulated water is treated to remove most radioactive substances, but still contains tritium.

Last month, the International Atomic Energy Agency released a report saying Japan's water release plan is consistent with international safety standards.

After the inspection, Kishida met with the chairman of the plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company, Kobayashi Yoshimitsu and other TEPCO officials.

Kishida told them that the utility must provide appropriate compensation for ensuring safety and countering misinformation.

Kobayashi and other officials responded that the company will continue operations and is determined to operate without causing misinformation.

After the meeting with TEPCO officials, Kishida told reporters that his government as a whole will make decisions about the timing of the release based on the status of efforts to ensure safety and deal with harmful misinformation.

Kishida also said that arrangements are underway for him to meet with senior officials of the National Federation of Fisheries Co-Operative Associations as early as Monday to gain their understanding on the release.

Representatives of the fishing industry have voiced opposition to the treated water discharge plan.