It is looking increasingly likely that Japan will be dumping contaminated Fukushima water into the ocean.

A panel of experts that have been advising on the best disposal method for radioactive water from the destroyed nuclear plant made the recommendation today - one the Japanese government is likely to accept. 

The panel, under the industry ministry, came to the conclusion which is likely to alarm neighbouring countries, after narrowing it down to two choices: releasing contaminated water into the Pacific Ocean or letting it evaporate.     

Based on past practice it is likely the government will accept the recommendation for the former option.

The build-up of contaminated water at Fukushima has been a sticking point in the clean-up of the area that was devastated by a 2011 tsunami that followed a large 9.1 magnitude off the north-east coast of Tokyo.