"Fukushima Contaminated Water Discharge, 35% of Japanese Citizens Support vs 20% Oppose"

A survey released on the 10th showed that 35% of Japanese citizens support the plan to discharge contaminated water from Fukushima into the ocean. Only 20% opposed it, while 40% said they "cannot say either way," the largest group.

Japan's public broadcaster NHK reported on the same day that a telephone survey conducted from the 7th to the 9th of this month among 1,218 citizens aged 18 and older nationwide (valid respondents) showed these results.

Earlier, a telephone survey conducted on the 1st and 2nd of this month by the news network JNN, led by the private broadcaster TBS, also showed 45% support for ocean discharge and 40% opposition, with support slightly ahead of opposition.

The Japanese government has not yet set a specific timing for the ocean discharge of contaminated water. On the same day, Yasutoshi Nishimura, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, visited the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant and said regarding the timing of the discharge, "The entire government will confirm the safety measures and countermeasures against reputational damage (rumor damage) and make a judgment." The Nuclear Regulation Authority of Japan issued a facility approval certificate for the contaminated water ocean discharge to Tokyo Electric Power Company on the 7th, completing preparations for the discharge.