TOKYO — The head of Japan’s national fisheries cooperatives has reiterated his group’s opposition to the planned discharge of treated radioactive water into the sea from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant, demanding the government take full responsibility for any negative impact on the industry.
“We cannot support the government’s stance that an ocean release is the only solution,” said Masanobu Sakamoto, president of JF Zengyoren, or the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives.
A release is expected to begin this summer, though the exact date has not been set.
Sakamoto met Economy and Trade Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura on Thursday and handed him a statement of objection to the treated wastewater release plan.
“Whether to release the water into the sea or not is a government decision, and in that case we want the government to fully take responsibility,” he told reporters after meeting with Nishimura.
Japan’s government announced plans in April 2021 to gradually release the treated but still slightly radioactive water following its dilution to what it says are safe levels that are well within international standards.
Japanese officials say the water, currently stored in about a thousand tanks at the plant, needs to be removed to prevent accidental leaks in case of an earthquake and to make room for the plant’s decommissioning.
Masanobu Sakamoto, left, head of Japanese national fisheries cooperatives, meets with Japan’s Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, right, at the latter’s ministry in Tokyo, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Sakamoto, president of JF Zengyoren, has reiterated his group’s rejection to Japan’s planned discharge of treated radioactive water into sea from the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant, demanding the government take full responsibility over possible negative impact on the industry. Credit: AP
The plan has faced fierce protests from local fishing communities concerned about safety and reputational…
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