Hiroshi Kishi, head of Japan's federation of fisheries cooperatives, said he and his organization are "absolutely against" the water being released into the ocean, adding that the government's decision is not supported by the Japanese public.

"It is inevitable that there will be reputational damage, regardless of how the water is disposed of, whether into the sea or into the air," Kishi said.

"I want the government to clarify how it intends to respond to such reputational damage."

Residents in Fukushima, most of the municipal assemblies in the prefecture and Japanese society are also opposed to the release.

A China Daily investigation found that 41 of Fukushima prefecture's 59 municipal councils are against the plan, with 25 of them strongly opposed to it and 16 asking the government to "respond cautiously".

On Sunday, people from throughout the prefecture held a rally in Iwaki to protest against the plan, with members of environmental organizations and representatives from all walks of life expressing their anger and disappointment.

They used a slogan that called for the protection of Fukushima, fisheries and children.