Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Friday condemned Japan's attempt to "brainwash" people by using a cute cartoon character to explain its plans to release contaminated water from its wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean.

Such "whitewashing activities" will not relieve the concerns of the Japanese people, nor will they deceive the international community, Zhao told a press briefing.

He urged Japan to handle the issue of wastewater disposal in a prudent and responsible manner and retract its decision to dump Fukushima water into the ocean.