Image Credits-The Japan Times
One year after the contentious release of treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited Fukushima Prefecture on Saturday to engage in discussions with local fishery workers. The visit comes amid ongoing concerns over the environmental and economic impacts of the release, which has sparked protests both domestically and internationally.
During his visit, Kishida met with representatives of the Fukushima fisheries industry in the coastal town of Soma, where he acknowledged the challenges they have faced over the past year. “I am here today to listen to your concerns and to reaffirm the government’s commitment to supporting the fishing industry,” Kishida said in his opening remarks. “We understand the anxiety and skepticism that remain, and we are determined to work together to overcome these challenges.”
The treated water release, which began in August 2023, has been a source of significant controversy. The Japanese government and Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) have maintained that the water, treated to remove most radioactive elements, is safe for release. However, local fishery workers have expressed fears that the stigma associated with the release could further damage their livelihoods, which were already severely affected by the 2011 nuclear disaster.
Kishida’s visit is seen as an effort to mend strained relations between the government and the local fishing communities, who have long demanded greater transparency and stronger assurances about the safety of their products. The Prime Minister pledged continued financial support and additional measures to promote Fukushima’s seafood both domestically and abroad.
“We must rebuild trust not just through words, but through concrete actions,” Kishida told the fishermen. He appreciated the fishermen for their continued resilience and ensured to cooperate with them towards a future where Fukushima’s waters and products are truly valued.