It has been 13 days since the government decided to dilute the treated water containing radioactive substances such as tritium that continues to accumulate at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station below the standard and release it into the sea.
In line with this policy, TEPCO plans to start releasing it around next spring, but there are deep-rooted opposition from fishermen who are concerned about damage to rumors, and the issue is how to gain understanding. I am.
With the ever-increasing storage of treated water tightening the site of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, the government decided on April 13, a year ago, to dilute the treated water to a concentration below the national standard and release it into the sea. rice field.
TEPCO plans to construct a new undersea tunnel and drain it into the sea from 1 km offshore around next spring, and if approval is obtained from the Nuclear Regulation Authority, full-scale construction will begin around June. I want to.
To start construction, TEPCO is seeking prior consent from Fukushima Prefecture and Okuma Town and Futaba Town, where the nuclear power plants are located.
In addition, the government and TEPCO have promised the Fukushima Prefectural Fisheries Federation that they will not dispose of anything without the understanding of the parties concerned, and will work to gain their understanding by the time it is released.
The Prefectural Fisheries Federation and others strongly oppose the release, but in the background there is concern about new rumors, and it is necessary to spread understanding not only to the people in Fukushima Prefecture but also to the whole country. ..
As the release is approaching about a year later, the issue is how the government and TEPCO will gain understanding.
Participate in briefing session Fish shop “Consensus building required”
According to TEPCO, in the past year since the decision on the release policy of treated water, about 770 briefing sessions have been held for people involved in the fishing and tourism industries to explain safety and measures against rumors. ..
Katsumasa Okawa, president of Okawa Fish Shop, which sells local fish in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, participated in a briefing session held in the city last month for brokers.
President Okawa evaluated that he had received an explanation for the first time and gained an understanding of what he had been wondering about, such as the specific method of disposal, but he was convinced of the policy of compensation in the event of reputational damage. It is said that there are still some points that cannot be done.
On top of that, President Okawa said, "The nuclear accident was a sudden event, but there is time to prepare for this release into the ocean, so it is necessary to create rules for the framework of compensation so that no conflict will occur. I think it is necessary to hold such briefings several times to reach consensus. "
Posts that are critical of fishermen who oppose the release on SNS
There have been a series of critical posts on SNS about the persistent voice of opposition among fishermen.
This month, when it was reported that Chairman Hiroshi Kishi of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives had a meeting with Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hagita and stated that he was "resolutely opposed to the policy," he said, "We are rumors about ourselves." There was a post such as "The Greedy Fisheries Federation".
Hideo Kanno, a 71-year-old fisherman from Soma City, said of these posts, "I was surprised that there are people who think that way. If there are 10 people, there are 10 different opinions. I know, but fishermen are just worried that the fish won't sell or the prices will go down and the swords won't work. "
On top of that, he said, "No matter how much you explain that releasing treated water into the sea will have no effect, if consumers tell you not to buy it, you can go fishing." rice field.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno "I would like to consider effective measures against rumors."
At a press conference in the morning, Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno said, "We have been repeatedly asked by local fishermen to explain the safety of treated water and the need for disposal. I would like to repeatedly explain to the entire supply chain, including those who are trading partners, such as wholesalers and retailers. , I would like to consider effective measures against rumors. "
After that, "IAEA = With the cooperation of the International Atomic Energy Agency, we will continue to work together with the government to gain understanding from both inside and outside Japan by strictly confirming safety and disseminating the results with high transparency. I will go. "