Suga Supports Fukushima Over Treated Water Release
Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide says the government will do all it can to prevent its decision to release treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into the sea from causing reputational damage to the prefecture.
Fukushima Governor Uchibori Masao visited Suga at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Thursday.
His visit follows the central government's decision last week to release treated water that has been building up at the plant. The water has been treated to remove most of the radioactive materials, but still contains radioactive tritium. The water will be diluted before being released so the tritium concentration is well below national regulations. That's equivalent to one-seventh of the World Health Organization's guideline level for drinking water.
Uchibori said the people of Fukushima have been working to rebuild the prefecture and fighting against reputational damage for ten years since the nuclear accident in March 2011.
He said they fear the release of water from the plant would make their hard work come to nothing.
Uchibori urged the government to carefully explain its decision to everybody concerned and provide accurate information to people both in and outside Japan. He also asked the government to take measures to prevent reputational damage and support local industries.
Prime Minister Suga said he takes seriously the concerns of people in Fukushima, especially those in the fishing industry.
After the meeting, Uchibori told reporters that he frankly conveyed the worries of people in Fukushima.
He said the prime minister spoke of his firm resolve to deal with the problems related to the water discharge. Uchibori said he expects the central government to properly fulfill its responsibilities.