The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) does not have the competence to advise Japan on where to dispose of wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said on Tuesday.

On a visit to the Cook Islands, where he briefed the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) on the IAEA's findings that Japan's plans to discharge treated wastewater from the plant met international safety standards, Grossi was asked at a press conference why the IAEA did not advise Japan how to deal with the water within the country if the organization believes the water is safe.

"Because it's not our competence to do that. What we were requested to do? We do not do policy for Japan. What they (Japan) did was, they said 'we have this plan, we have this plan, is this plan correct or incorrect?'" Grossi replied.

The IAEA released a report on July 4 saying the controversial plans to release over one million tons of wastewater into the ocean over the next three decades after treating it with an advanced liquid processing system (ALPS) were consistent with international safety standards and would have "negligible radiological impact on people and the environment".

The discharge is expected to begin as early as next month.

The report was criticized by members of a Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) panel who said the IAEA was abdicating its responsibility by not reviewing the rationale behind the plan, which is a basic safety principle.

Many organizations, including the PIF, regional governments and fisheries groups in Japan and elsewhere, have criticized the plan, saying the discharge of wastewater used to cool nuclear reactors, which melted down during the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, could have far-reaching and negative consequences on the marine environment and human health.

The ongoing dispute also sparked heated discussion online. A Facebook user said, "Release them into your own lakes/rivers then. Don't contaminate the oceans." A Twitter user who is allegedly Japanese believes the Japanese government tried to cover up the plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company, which lacks funds and only discloses partial information on the matter, saying, "No accountability for unprecedented disasters. I'm ashamed to be Japanese."

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