Japanese media: Nearly 90% of Japanese people are worried that the discharge of Fukushima nuclear wastewater into the sea will damage Japan's image, nearly 90% of Japanese people are worried | Fukushima nuclear wastewater discharge into the sea | Japanese media poll

As the Japanese government plans to hold a cabinet meeting on the 22nd and is expected to finalize the time for the discharge of Fukushima nuclear contaminated water into the sea, a survey released by Kyodo News Agency on the 20th showed that nearly 90% of Japanese respondents are concerned that the discharge of Fukushima nuclear contaminated water will damage Japan's image. Amidst questioning, concerns, and opposition, the support rate of the Japanese government is also continuously declining.

Nearly 90% of adults believe it undermines Japan's image

According to a nationwide telephone public opinion survey conducted by Kyodo News Agency from August 19th to 20th, as many as 88.1% of Japanese people are concerned about the discharge of contaminated water from Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea, which may cause significant or certain damage to Japan's image.

The poll also showed that 81.9% of respondents believe that the Japanese government's explanation of nuclear contaminated water discharge is "insufficient," with only 15% believing it to be "sufficient.". In addition, 29.6% of respondents supported emissions, 25.7% opposed it, and 43.8% expressed "no objection", with differing opinions.

Affected by factors such as nuclear contaminated water being discharged into the sea, the support rate of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his cabinet has been continuously declining recently.

According to a Kyodo poll, the disapproval rate of the Kishida cabinet has increased from 48.6% in the last survey to 50%, while the approval rate is only 33.6%, maintaining the worst level.

According to previous reports, the Japanese government is in the final stage before finalizing the date for the discharge of nuclear wastewater into the sea. Kyodo News Agency stated that the Japanese government plans to hold a cabinet meeting on the 22nd and announce a date for nuclear wastewater discharge, which may start at the end of August.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has also been tirelessly negotiating with all parties regarding the final plan.

On the 20th, Fumio Kishida visited the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant to inspect the nuclear wastewater discharge facilities. He also met with executives such as Tokyo Electric Power Company President Tomomiya Kobayakawa, demanding that he make every effort to ensure safety with a sense of nervousness and take measures against the damage to Japan's image. He reiterated once again that the discharge of nuclear wastewater cannot be delayed. Kishida met with officials from the National Fisheries Association Federation and Fukushima Prefecture Fisheries Cooperation Association Federation on the 21st to seek understanding and support.

In recent months, Japan has also lobbied the international community on the issue of nuclear wastewater being discharged into the sea.

On August 18th, leaders of the United States, Japan, and South Korea held talks at Camp David, the presidential resort in Maryland, USA. The Japanese side revealed before the meeting that Fumio Kishida will explain in the meeting that "there is scientific basis for the discharge of nuclear contaminated water into the sea to ensure safety.".

Although this issue was not ultimately discussed as a public topic, both the United States and South Korea have shown tacit agreement. According to reports, Kishida expressed gratitude for the support provided by the United States. Regarding the International Atomic Energy Agency's previous claim that Japan's sea discharge plan meets international safety standards, South Korean President Yoon Seok yeol also claimed to "believe in the test results.".

It will be an "irreparable mess"

Although the Japanese government is conducting public relations globally, it is still unable to dispel people's doubts, anger, and concerns.

In recent days, Japanese people have gathered in front of the Prime Minister's residence in the scorching heat, demanding that the government abide by its promise not to dispose of nuclear contaminated water without authorization and withdraw its plan to discharge nuclear contaminated water into the sea.

One of the representatives of the civil society organization "Don't pollute the ocean again! Citizen Conference", Katsuya Sato, said that in 2015, the Japanese government and Tokyo Electric Power Company agreed in a document with the Fukushima Prefectural Fisheries Cooperation Association Federation not to dispose of nuclear contaminated water without obtaining the understanding of relevant parties. He said that the fishing volume in the local fishing industry in Fukushima has just recovered to about 20% before the nuclear accident, and at this time, the discharge of nuclear contaminated water into the sea will make it difficult for fishermen to sustain their livelihoods.

On the 17th, civil organizations such as Friends of the Earth and the Atomic Energy Information Agency submitted over 28000 public signatures to representatives of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, demanding that the Japanese government continue to store on land or adopt alternative solutions.

In the Japanese scientific community, there are also many people questioning the safety, effectiveness, and long-term impact of nuclear wastewater treatment devices on the sea.

Tokyo University marine geochemist Shigekata Isaka stated that the accumulation of radioactive tritium in fish and marine organisms in the ocean after it is converted into organically bound tritium is a concern. He also emphasized the importance of evaluating the long-term effects of radioactive isotopes.

Not only in Japan, doubts about the discharge of nuclear wastewater into the sea are still echoing around the world.

In South Korea, there are constant public protests against this matter. A survey in July showed that 80% to 85% of South Korean respondents opposed Japan's plan to discharge nuclear wastewater, fearing that it would have an impact on seafood and the marine environment. Due to concerns about pollution, South Korea has experienced panic hoarding of salt, and salt prices have recently skyrocketed.

South Korean fisherman Kim Young je recently stated that since the Japanese government announced in 2021 that it will discharge nuclear wastewater into the sea, South Korean fishermen have been expressing opposition and holding many land and sea demonstrations. "South Korea, the Japanese government, and the United Nations should take the lead in protecting the shared oceans of all humanity, rather than protecting political interests."

American fisherman Mark Baker stated that his biggest concern is the impact of this incident on future generations, "it will be a mess that we will never be able to clean up.".

China has also repeatedly urged Japan to face the reasonable concerns of the international community and domestic people, stop forcefully promoting plans to discharge water into the sea, communicate fully with neighboring countries with a sincere attitude, effectively and responsibly dispose of nuclear contaminated water, and accept international supervision.