Japan PM Eats Fukushima Fish To Dispel Radioactive Water Fears

Fumio Kishida, the Japanese prime minister, ate fish caught off Fukushima's coast on August 30 to defuse fears after the controversial release of water from the disabled Okuma nuclear power plant. The Japanese PM was filmed eating fish from Fukushima to prove it was safe.

In a video released on social media by his office, Mr Kishida and three officials were shown eating Fukushima fish in an attempt to quell concerns following the release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant.

"This is very good," Mr Kishida said as he chewed on a slice of flounder sashimi, calling on viewers to enjoy "safe and delicious" Japanese seafood to support the northeastern region.

The clip also shows the leaders enjoying sashimi, boiled pork, fruits, rice and vegetables from the Fukushima region.

Let's support the Sanriku & Joban regions through food! These regions, consisting of Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima and Ibaraki prefectures, offer wonderful marine products.

▼The Safety of ALPS treated water dischargehttps://t.co/HHAA3sWDHG
▼Video Messagehttps://t.co/a3ViPgCS6u pic.twitter.com/gnq7PTMDir

— PM's Office of Japan (@JPN_PMO) August 31, 2023

It was designed to promote products from the area 12 years after Fukushima was devastated by a huge earthquake and tsunami that triggered one of the world's worst nuclear disasters.

Even before the wastewater release, many in Japan's fishing industry were worried about what it would do to the reputation of the country's seafood domestically and abroad.

The discharge, equivalent to more than 500 Olympic swimming pools, is expected to take decades and will allow engineers to start removing highly dangerous radioactive fuel from three wrecked reactors.

Bricks and eggs have been thrown at Japanese schools and consulates in China and Tokyo has advised its nationals there to keep a low profile. Businesses in Japan have also been swamped with nuisance calls from Chinese numbers.

Mr Kishida was expected to visit Tokyo's main Toyosu fish market on Thursday to sample more Fukushima fish.

Japan has demanded that China -- its biggest market for fish -- drop its ban on seafood imports while warning it will complain to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Kishida's government is also reportedly planning a package of financial aid for the fishing industry while also helping it find new export markets.

Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), reiterated on Wednesday that the water being released was safe according to the UN watchdog.

In a show of support for Japan, the US ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, was due to visit the Fukushima area on Thursday and eat locally caught seafood.