Japan plans to release contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean this year, causing concern among neighboring countries and Japanese citizens.
While the government claims that the water has been treated and is safe, fishermen in the area worry about the potential impact on seafood such as sea bass and mackerel.
Residents in the area are also concerned about the long-term effects of the release, with some saying that if the plan goes ahead, Fukushima prefecture will be abandoned by Japan for over 30 years.
A recent survey of residents in 50 villages across four prefectures found that 66% of respondents believed that the government’s response to the release of the contaminated water was insufficient.
The Fukushima disaster, which occurred after a massive earthquake and tsunami in 2011, forced the evacuation of entire towns.
While some residents have since been allowed to return, there are concerns that the planned release of the contaminated water could once again make the area unsafe.
