A national fisheries association in Japan maintained its opposition to the government-approved discharge of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea as it started Thursday amid domestic and overseas concerns about the environmental impact.
"Our opposition to the discharge has not changed a bit," the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations said in a joint statement with a local group in Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan, adding that the release has increased fishermen's worries.
"Although the government decided from a national point of view, shouldering full responsibility, fishermen throughout the country witnessing this moment have become more anxious," they said.
They said they only wish to maintain the fisheries business while feeling secure, and requested the government to deal swiftly with reputational damage.
"We want the government to categorially fulfill the prime minister's promise and support the fishermen," they added.
In response to concerns from the fishing community, the government led by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has established two separate funds worth 30 billion yen ($206 million) and 50 billion yen for responding to harmful rumors and for supporting local fishermen in sustaining their businesses, respectively.
