Japan’s prime minister ate what he called “safe and delicious” fish from Fukushima on Wednesday, days after wastewater from the region’s nuclear power plant was discharged into the Pacific Ocean.
A video of Fumio Kishida eating fish from Fukushima, posted on social media by his office, appears after China banned all imports of seafood from the neighboring country following the dumping that began on August 24.
“This is really tasty,” said Kishida as he chewed on a piece of tong sashimi, urging viewers to enjoy “safe and delicious” Japanese seafood in support of the northeastern region.
The video, accompanied by upbeat music, shows the conservative leader, accompanied by three other ministers in his cabinet, eating sashimi, boiled pork, fruits, rice and vegetables from the Fukushima region.
The aim was to promote products from the region, twelve years after Fukushima was devastated by a massive earthquake and tsunami that caused one of the world’s worst nuclear disasters.
Kishida is expected to visit Tokyo’s main Toyosu fish market on Thursday to sample more fish from Fukushima.
Even before the sewage emissions, many members of Japan’s fishing industry were concerned about the reputation of the country’s seafood, both at home and abroad.
The discharge, which is equivalent to that of more than 500 Olympic swimming pools, is expected to last for decades and will allow engineers to begin removing highly hazardous radioactive fuel from the three destroyed reactors.
Stones and eggs were thrown at Japanese schools and consulates in China, and Tokyo advised its citizens to keep a low profile. Japanese businesses have also been inundated with nuisance calls from Chinese numbers.
Japan has demanded that China – its largest seafood market – lift its seafood import ban and has warned it will file a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The Kishida government is also planning a financial support package for the fishing industry to help it find new export markets.
Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), reiterated Wednesday that the released water is safe, the UN watchdog said.
Showing support for Japan, US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel is expected to visit the Fukushima region on Thursday and eat locally caught seafood.
Source: DN
