Japanese Seafood Distributor Demands Government Explain Fukushima Contaminated Water Discharge

Japanese seafood distributors also demanded explanations from their government regarding the discharge of contaminated water from Fukushima into the ocean. The distributors stated that there had been no direct explanation from the government on this matter.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to Japan's public broadcaster NHK on the 20th, seafood distributors handling marine products in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, invited government officials to the Iwaki Central Wholesale Market to hold a briefing session about the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. About 30 people, including fish shop owners and restaurant managers, participated in this event.

Government officials stated that the impact of the contaminated water discharge on humans and the environment is very minimal, and they pledged to measure and publicly announce the concentration of radioactive substances in shellfish and seawater after the discharge.

The president of the fisheries company that hosted the event said, "There has been no direct explanation from the government until now," and added, "We basically oppose the discharge, but if it happens, we want to share knowledge so that we are not put in a difficult position when consumers ask, acting from a position close to the consumers."

Participants pointed out, "The government and Tokyo Electric Power Company need to consider why people cannot feel reassured even though it is scientifically safe."

Yasutoshi Nishimura, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and the minister in charge of the nuclear power plant, met consecutively this month with executives of fisheries organizations from three prefectures?Fukushima, Miyagi, and Ibaraki?as well as Hokkaido, to persuade them of the safety of the contaminated water discharge. However, the fishermen expressed opposition to the discharge.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met with Minister Nishimura on the same day and instructed him to continue communicating persistently to gain understanding from fishermen and other stakeholders.