Japan's Fisheries Federation Calls For Support Ahead Of Treated Water Release
The Japanese fisheries federation has called on the government to take measures to support fishers in the country ahead of the planned release of treated water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea.
Sakamoto Masanobu, president of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations, handed a list of requests to Fisheries Minister Nomura Tetsuro on Friday.
The federation stressed the need for the government to help fishers continue their work without anxiety before the release of the treated water, scheduled for around the spring of next year.
Specifically, it called for setting up a major fund to support fishers and expanding budget appropriations to help cover rising fuel prices and the soaring costs of culturing fish.
Officials said Nomura told the federation head that he will discuss these matters with ruling parties and address the requests.
On Thursday, the federation held another meeting with Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Nishimura Yasutoshi.
The federation chief told reporters that the organization remains opposed to the government's plan to release the treated water into the sea. He added that the government should provide detailed explanations on the release's safety and possible impacts.
He also called for securing enough funding to help the fisheries industry, referring to the soaring prices of fisheries materials.