Kishida Appeals to Japanese Fishermen to "Understand the Discharge of Contaminated Water"

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met with Japanese fishermen ahead of the planned discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Prime Minister Kishida appealed for understanding of the government’s policy, but the fishermen maintained their opposition.

On the 21st, Prime Minister Kishida met with Masanobu Sakamoto, chairman of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations (Zenyoren), at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence in Tokyo to discuss the issue of contaminated water discharge. Kishida said, "I take full responsibility and promise to prepare the necessary measures so that fishermen can continue their livelihoods with peace of mind for decades to come."

He added, "I sincerely ask once again for your understanding of the government’s policy regarding the disposal of ‘treated water’ (the term used by the Japanese government for the contaminated water)."

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida [Photo by Yonhap News]

In response, Chairman Sakamoto reaffirmed the opposition stance, saying, "Our opposition has not changed at all." Zenyoren also adopted a special resolution in June stating that their opposition stance remains unchanged.

Local media reported on the 22nd that Prime Minister Kishida will hold a meeting with relevant ministers to decide the timing of the discharge. Japanese media generally expect the discharge to begin within this month.