Fukushima Residents Exercise Caution as Nuclear Plant Starts Discharging Treated Wastewater

IWAKI, Japan—Prices for fish at a port near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant fluctuated after the release of treated and diluted radioactive wastewater into the ocean. The release has caused uncertainty among seafood consumers and has faced opposition from fishing groups and neighboring countries. China has already banned seafood imports from Japan, adding to concerns in the fisheries community. Fish auction prices at the Numanouchi fishing port were mixed, with larger flounders experiencing a more than 10 percent decrease in price. The release of wastewater has damaged the reputation of seafood from the Fukushima area and has impacted the livelihoods of fishermen. Despite the government’s reassurances that the water is safe, the fishing community remains skeptical. The release of wastewater is expected to continue for the next 30 years as part of the decommissioning process of the power plant, causing further worries among fishermen in Fukushima.



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