Nearly 60% Support for Japan's Contaminated Water Release... Government Makes All-Out Efforts to Persuade Local Fishermen

Nikkei Poll: 58% Support 'Contaminated Water Discharge'
Nishimura Economy Minister Persuades Fishermen Throughout Weekend... Kishida Plans to Step In Soon

As Japan prepares to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, a public opinion poll revealed that nearly 60% of people support the release. For the government, persuading fishermen in the waters near Fukushima would essentially complete the task of calming domestic public opinion, and government officials have been making last-minute efforts, visiting the area throughout the weekend.

On the 31st, Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) reported that in a nationwide survey conducted from the 28th to the 30th targeting men and women aged 18 and older, 58% expressed support for the contaminated water discharge, significantly outnumbering those opposed. By age group, 52% of those under 39, 62% of those in their 40s and 50s, and 60% of those aged 60 and above supported the release, showing a tendency for support rates to increase with age.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

By political party support, 69% of ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) supporters favored the discharge, while more than half of the non-affiliated and opposition Constitutional Democratic Party supporters also expressed support. Regardless of age or political orientation, public opinion across the nation has shifted in favor of the release.

Judging that it has succeeded in shaping domestic opinion, the Japanese government is focusing its final efforts on persuading fishermen in the waters near Fukushima, where opposition is strongest. Since the 29th, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura has been visiting areas near the nuclear plant, including Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, where fishermen’s resistance is intense, to carry out persuasion efforts throughout the weekend.

Minister Nishimura emphasized at each location, "The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will ensure safety even after the contaminated water is discharged," and added, "We will continue to address fishermen’s concerns until the decommissioning of the accident-affected nuclear plant is completed."

The Japanese government has even introduced cash support cards to appease fishermen’s opposition. Concerned about a potential decline in demand for seafood from waters near Fukushima due to the discharge, the government has established a fund of 30 billion yen (approximately 27.17 billion KRW) to support market expansion and other measures.

Nishimura Yasutoshi, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, is speaking at a meeting with fishermen from Fukushima Prefecture on the 30th. (Photo by NHK)

Minister Nishimura has repeatedly emphasized that financial support could begin even before the contaminated water is discharged if necessary. During a visit to the Fukushima Prefecture Fisheries Cooperative the previous day, he stated regarding the fund, "If there is any impact from reputational damage (harm caused by unfounded information) even before the discharge, we will respond accordingly."

At a subsequent visit to Iwaki City, he said, "We will closely monitor the specific situations of fishermen and, if necessary, implement budgetary or allowance measures even before the discharge."

Nevertheless, the positions of the fishermen and the Japanese government remain at an impasse. The day before, Toshimitsu Konno, head of the Soma Futaba Fisheries Cooperative, expressed concerns to Minister Nishimura, saying, "Although the scientific safety of the contaminated water discharge has been confirmed, isn’t safety different from reassurance?" and added, "Once the discharge begins, we will bear all the problems until the nuclear plant is decommissioned."

Nikkei reported, "Minister Nishimura exchanged opinions with officials at two fisheries cooperatives, but the fishermen maintained their opposition to the discharge," and noted, "The gap between the two sides remains unbridged."

In response, it is expected that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will soon personally engage in persuasion efforts. After this process, the Kishida administration is set to decide on the timing of the discharge.

Local media in Fukushima reported, "Prime Minister Kishida plans to meet with Masanobu Sakamoto, chairman of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations, soon," and added, "He is expected to directly convey the policy of thoroughly ensuring safety and measures against reputational damage and seek understanding."

They further noted, "Based on the outcome of the meeting, the timing of the discharge, previously indicated as 'around summer,' will be determined."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.