Fukushima nuclear plant emitting radioactive water into Pacific Ocean

TEPCO finally admits danger.

Tokyo Electric Power Company, operator of Japan's crippled Fukushima nuclear plant, has admitted for the first time that radioactive groundwater is pouring into the Pacific Ocean.

TEPCO has been battling for months to stop groundwater leaking into the complex and becoming contaminated. A spokesman, however, insists the impact on the ocean will be limited.

Earlier this month TEPCO revealed that groundwater samples taken at the Fukushima plant showed that levels of radioactive caesium had increased by more than 100 times in just a few days. It said it had no explanation for the soaring figures.

Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority believes contamination of the sea has been continuing since the explosions at Fukushima following the 2011 tsunami.

TEPCO previously failed to confirm the ground water leakage, more than two years after the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl in 1986.

"We would like to offer our deep apology for causing grave worries for many people, especially for people in Fukushima," said TEPCO general manager Masayuki Ono.