Japan officially discharged the contaminated water into the sea, and 240 days later, the contaminated water will spread to China

Lee Jae-myung, leader of South Korea's largest opposition Minjoo Party, condemned Japan's upcoming discharge of nuclear-contaminated water as a "terrorist act" and accused Japan of trying to bring irreparable disaster to South Korea and Pacific countries after threatening its neighbors with imperialist wars in the past. "Without scientific verification, without the understanding of neighboring countries, and without the consent of the Japanese people, they committed the evil act of dumping contaminated water into the public ocean of mankind."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin also said that despite the serious concerns and firm opposition of the international community, the Japanese government insisted on announcing that it will start the discharge of Fukushima nuclear contaminated water into the sea on August 24, blatantly transferring the risk of nuclear pollution to the world, and putting its own interests above the long-term well-being of all mankind. China is seriously concerned about and strongly opposes it and has lodged solemn representations with the Japanese side.

Fishery impact

The most popular issues in Japan are the fishing industry and the stigmatization of Fukushima and its residents. According to TBS News, after the official announcement of the release of nuclear contaminated water decision, Kishida Fumio also announced that he invited Masanobu Sakamoto, chairman of the Japanese National Federation of Fisheries Associations, who opposed the release of nuclear contaminated water, to talk on the 22nd to discuss the budget of nuclear contaminated water release and the budget of fisheries. In order to be able to continue to communicate with fishing practitioners, Kishida Fumio also considered choosing occasions to meet with fishing practitioners.

In addition, Kishida also announced the establishment of a business continuity fund to ensure that fishermen can continue their fishing activities with peace of mind. "To address concerns about the reputational impact and continuation of livelihoods associated with the disposal of nuclear-contaminated water treated by the ALPS (Advanced Liquid Processing System), even if it takes decades to complete the treatment of the treated water, the government will take responsibility and work to resolve the issue," he stressed.

However, the inevitable impact on the fishing industry has also led Japan's National Federation of Fisheries Associations to express its dissatisfaction with the planned release of contaminated water. According to NHK, Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yasminoru Nishimura also met with Masanobu Sakamoto regarding the nuclear contaminated water discharge plan. During the talks, Japan's National Federation of Fisheries Associations said that although they have deepened their understanding of the safety of nuclear-contaminated water, they remain firmly opposed to the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water.

In fact, the National Federation of Fisheries Associations has been an important force in opposing the Japanese government's dumping of nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean. The National Federation of Fisheries Associations of Japan is an organization that brings together forces by working together to solve problems and challenges that fishermen cannot handle alone. For example, management and protection of fishery resources, access to market information, and research and development of fishery technology are among its tasks. An important reason for the domestic fishing industry's opposition to the release of nuclear-contaminated water is also the possible stigma.

According to NHK, after the Great East Japan earthquake that occurred on March 11, 2011, the primary industry in Fukushima Prefecture made various efforts to restore sales channels and shipments. However, rice, beef, fish and other products from Fukushima are still being bought at low prices. Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in its "2020 Circulation Fact Survey" released on March 31, pointed out that shipments of rice, beef, peaches, bell peppers, persimmons, and flounder are still below the pre-earthquake level of 10 to 30 percent. In addition, beef, peaches, persimmon prices are also 10 to 20 percent lower than normal levels.

According to Japan's Kyodo news Agency, in order to avoid stigmatization, the Japanese Fisheries Agency announced on August 11 that it would strengthen the testing of aquatic products around the Fukushima First nuclear power plant at the beginning of the release of contaminated water. At present, fishing is still being carried out along the coast of Fukushima Prefecture, in addition to the Fukushima First nuclear power plant within 10 kilometers. Every week, fish caught by the county are tested, and if radioactive material is found to exceed the standard, the state will direct shipment restrictions on the same species of fish.

In addition, the local fishing association will test all the fish to be shipped every day on the day of the fish catch for radioactive substances, and if the value exceeds their own setting, they will decide to stop the shipment.