Regarding the disposal method of treated water containing radioactive substances such as tritium, which continues to increase at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, the government has decided to dilute it to a concentration below the national standard and then release it into the sea.
And to proceed with the preparation so that you can start the release to the sea to the prospect of the two years later to the Tokyo Electric Power Company, has been asked to ensure measures to reputational damage, including compensation.
Fukushima fishermen have raised concerns about the government's decision to damage rumors, and fishermen in neighboring prefectures have also heard such voices.
This is a reaction to this decision, including overseas.
Fishermen “Strong concern over reputational damage” <Iwate Rikuzentakata>
Fishermen in Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture, have expressed strong concern about rumors.
Katsuji Chida, the representative of a fishery company that cultivates oysters and wakame seaweed based in Otomo-cho, Rikuzentakata, said, "The sea of Sanriku is connected to Fukushima, so I don't think it's from another prefecture and it doesn't affect the human body. Even if the concentration of tritium is diluted, consumers may be refrained from buying due to reputational damage. Fishermen are worried that the situation will be worse due to double punching while demand is decreasing due to corona damage. " Shown.
Regarding the procedure leading to the government's decision, he pointed out that "it is a problem that we decided to release the fish unilaterally without communication with the fishermen," and said, "By the time the release to the sea begins two years later, the national government. I want fishermen to explain monitoring and measures against rumors. "
"I feel regretful about the decision" <Miyagi Prefectural Fisheries Cooperative>
The Miyagi Prefectural Fisheries Cooperative is also raising concerns.
According to the Prefectural Fisheries Cooperative, the price of marine products has fallen due to the influence of the new coronavirus this season, and the average unit price per 10 kg of oysters, which are mainly raw edible oysters in Miyagi prefecture, was 7428 yen last month, which is the same as last year. It is only about 60% of the month.
For this reason, there are concerns that fishermen's willingness to produce will be further reduced due to the damage caused by the rumors associated with this policy decision.
Haruhiko Terazawa, the union leader, said, "I am regrettable and angry at the decision shortly after telling the government that I am categorically opposed to the release to the sea."
On that basis, "I would like the government and TEPCO to thoroughly explain that safety and security are different for consumers, and that the release of treated water into the ocean is not a risk. Also, 10 years after the Great East Japan Earthquake, fisheries There are some situations in which the processing industry has not reached the level before the earthquake. I would like to ask the government to take measures against reputational damage together with the prefecture. "
Shirasu, a specialty product, gradually recovers, but "efforts are water bubbles" <Ibaraki Kitaibaraki>
Voices of concern about damage to rumors continue to occur in various parts of the Kanto region.
Kitaibaraki City, Ibaraki Prefecture, which is located on the prefectural border with Fukushima Prefecture, is known as one of the prefecture's leading port towns, with auctions for the specialty Shirasu held on the 13th.
According to the fishery cooperatives, although there was a time when Shirasu was not priced for nearly two years after the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, it has been more than 10 years since the accident, and the price is about 60% to 70% before the nuclear accident. It means that it is recovering to.
Regarding the government's decision this time, a 59-year-old man who runs shirasu fishing in Kitaibaraki City said, "I think that the efforts so far will be a bubble of water as the price is returning to the ocean as the price is returning due to PR activities for fish. I want the government and TEPCO to come to us in good faith and explain. "
In addition, a 69-year-old fisherman said, "I wonder how many years I will have to struggle when the water is flushed into the sea. I asked the fishermen to see the situation that they had been struggling for 10 years and listened to the voices of the fishermen. I want you to take measures against rumors. "
In addition, a 72-year-old fisherman said, "After the nuclear accident, there are no young people on board and the problem of successors is serious, but the release to the ocean will add to that." There are many voices concerned about the damage.
"It's a matter of life and death" <Ibaraki Coastal Area Fisheries Cooperative>
The chairman of a group of fishermen in Ibaraki Prefecture expressed the idea that the government's decision was unacceptable.
Masami Tobita, chairman of the Ibaraki Coastal Area Fisheries Cooperative Association, which is made up of 10 fishery cooperatives in the prefecture, said, "The decision is not acceptable at all and I hope you do not release it to the ocean." The fishery will decline due to rumors. "
In addition, "Ibaraki Prefecture is also in the area affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, and even after 10 years, seafood is being traded at a price of 60% to 70% before the accident. Still, in a situation where it has improved even a little compared to the time of the accident. It is a matter of life and death for fishermen to be released into the ocean. "
The federation has shown its opposition by handing over to Governor Oikawa of Ibaraki Prefecture in February last year a request to the government not to release treated water into the sea.
Governor Ibaraki Oikawa "The problem is how to take measures against reputational damage"
Governor Oikawa of Ibaraki Prefecture met with the executive in charge of the Cabinet Office online and said, "We will accept the decision firmly as a local government, but I would like you to continue making efforts to obtain the consent of the local government," and requested measures against reputational damage. Did.
Governor Oikawa met online with Akira Matsunaga, Fukushima Nuclear Accident Handling Coordinator, Cabinet Office on the morning of the 13th.
At the beginning, General Manager Matsunaga said, "We decided to release it to the sea on the premise that we will strictly ensure safety and take measures against rumors as a whole. We will carefully explain the circumstances of the decision and take measures against rumors. I want to work on it. "
In response, Governor Oikawa said, "We will take the decision firmly as a local government. We will cooperate as much as possible, but we would like you to continue making efforts to obtain the consent of the local community." did.
After the meeting, Governor Oikawa said, "We are convinced that the release to the sea was an unavoidable choice after considering various options. The problem is how to take measures against reputational damage." He said he would pay close attention to the government's measures.
The port with the largest amount of landing in Japan is also "afraid of reputational damage" <Choshi Chiba>
At the Choshi fishing port in Chiba prefecture, which has the largest amount of landing in Japan, fishermen expressed concern.
Last year, the amount of landing was over 270,000 tons, and the landing was carried out on the morning of the 13th at the Choshi fishing port in Choshi City, Chiba Prefecture, which is the number one in Japan for 10 consecutive years.
Katsumi Tanabe (62), who belongs to the Choshi Fisheries Cooperative and is fishing for Kinmedai, said, "I am most afraid of the damage caused by rumors. I am worried that if the treated water is poured into the sea, the fish may not sell. It was difficult because the price fell due to the damage, but I think it will be more than that. I want you to discuss how to deal with coastal fishermen. "
After the nuclear accident 10 years ago, Mr. Tanabe has continued to promote safety to consumers in the Tokyo metropolitan area, saying that he was refraining from buying fish landed in Choshi.
In addition, Choshi City is still inspecting radioactive substances three times a week, and it has never exceeded the standard value.
Meanwhile, South Korea, China, and Taiwan are still taking measures to ban the import of marine products landed in Chiba Prefecture.
Governor Chiba Kumagai "The government carefully explains safety etc."
Governor Kumagai of Chiba Prefecture said, "I think the government made the decision based on scientific grounds and international standards."
On top of that, "I would like to ask the government to take effective measures to prevent damage from rumors. It is important for the government to carefully explain safety, etc., and proceed with a polite process while listening to the voices of fishermen. We need to go. "
In September last year, the government asked the neighboring prefectures for their opinions, and the deputy governor pointed out that the damage caused by the release could affect not only the fishing industry but also the tourism industry in the prefecture. He requested that "dialogue should be carried out carefully and that the parties concerned should fully understand and be convinced."
What is the reaction overseas?
South Korea "The decision is absolutely unacceptable"
There have been voices of opposition and concern from overseas regarding this government decision.
The Korean government held an urgent meeting on the morning of the 13th with related ministries such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Nuclear Safety Commission.
After the meeting, Mr. Ku Yun-chul, Director of State Coordination Office, said, "I would like to express my strong regret and take all necessary measures based on the principle of giving top priority to the safety of the Korean people." I did.
He then rebelled, saying, "I will convey to the Japanese government the opposition to the concerns of the Korean people today. The Japanese government's decision will never be accepted."
In addition,
▽ ban on imports of marine products from eight prefectures such as Fukushima will be further
enforced,
and
▽ IAEA = International Atomic Energy Agency
will be
requested to verify.
After the meeting, the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on Japanese Ambassador Aiboshi to protest.
In response, Ambassador Aiboshi said that the Japanese government's decision had been communicated to the South Korean government in advance, and that "we will take responsibility for not affecting the environment of neighboring countries including South Korea." Was released to the Korean media.
Meanwhile, near the Japanese embassy in Seoul, a civic group held a protest rally around 11:00 am.
Participants put up a placard stating "against the release" and said, "We cannot suppress the anger of the Japanese government, which is forcing the release at its own discretion despite the opposition in neighboring countries." I was asking for the withdrawal of the decision.
Taiwan "Very important" "Sorry"
A spokesman for Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Oe An, said at a press conference on the 13th, "It is about the marine environment and ecosystem, and the health and safety of Taiwanese people, and we attach great importance to it." a year later he mentioned the fact that release into the sea begins to prospect and "continue to tell our strong interest in the meantime the Japanese side".
The Atomic Energy Commission of Taiwan also made a comment, stating that it had informed the Japanese side of its position against the release into the sea, and expressed regret for the decision of the Japanese government.
The letter said, "If the Government of Japan decides to release it into the sea without regard to the opposition of its neighbors, it asks us to measure the impact on the seawater and marine life of the high seas around Taiwan and provide us with the results promptly." ..
China "expresses serious concern"
A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a discourse that China "expresses serious concern as a neighbor and stakeholder of Japan."
On that basis, "Japan is extremely irresponsible because it makes a one-sided decision without considering domestic and foreign suspicions and opposition and without sufficient consultation with neighboring countries and the international community. It reaches an agreement in consultation with interested countries and the IAEA = International Atomic Energy Agency. It must not be released into the sea without permission before. "
US "Thanks for Japan's efforts to maintain transparency"
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Twitter on the 12th, "I am grateful that Japan is making efforts to maintain transparency in the decision on the disposal of treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The Japanese government is IAEA = International Nuclear Power. I look forward to continuing to work with the institution. "
In addition, State Department spokesman Price released a statement on the 12th, saying, "Japan seems to have adopted a method that meets internationally accepted nuclear safety standards."