Image: NKH World Japan / FIS

Seafood businesses question plan to release treated water from Fukushima plant

JAPAN
Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 07:00 (GMT + 9)

Local distributors and shopkeepers of fisheries products have sought a full explanation from the government about a plan to release treated and diluted water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean.

Water used to cool molten nuclear fuel has been building up at the Fukushima plant after being treated to remove most of the radioactive materials. The treated water still contains some tritium.

Plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Company plans to release the treated water by around this summer in accordance with the government's policy. Before the release, TEPCO will dilute the water to reduce the tritium levels to one-seventh of the World Health Organization's safety standards for drinking water.

About 30 people, including owners of fish stores, restaurants and other seafood-related businesses in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, invited government officials to a study session at the city's central wholesale fish market on Tuesday. They said the government has not provided a sufficient explanation of the release plan.

A government official said the effects of the release will be minimal for humans and the environment.

The official also gave an explanation on a scheme to measure the concentrations of radioactive substances found in seafood and seawater after the release, and immediately report the results.

A participant said fish stores will face questions from consumers about the safety of seafood.

Another attendant said the government and TEPCO should think closely on why people are skeptical about the safety of marine products caught in waters near the plant even though it is considered safe scientifically.

The president of a fisheries company, Suzuki Koji, who organized the session, said people in seafood-related businesses who are close to consumers have not been given an explanation on the planned water release. Suzuki said that although he is opposed to the plan, he needs additional information that he can share with his customers.

Source: NHK World Japan

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