Fukushima nuclear plant begins releasing radioactive wastewater into the sea

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (Eugene Hoshiko/AP)

The operator of the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant says it has begun releasing a first batch of treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean.

A live video from a control room at the plant on Thursday showed a Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) staff member turn on a seawater pump, marking the beginning of the controversial project that is expected to last for decades.