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Japanese fishermen oppose release of radioactive water into sea

Xinhua, January 28, 2015 Adjust font size:

A Japanese fishing industry group on Tuesday called on the Abe administration not to allow the release of radioactive water from the Fukushima No.1 nuclear plant into the sea, the Jiji press reported Tuesday.

The National Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations made the request after the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) concluded that it will be possible to release groundwater from the damaged plant into the sea starting in 2017 after removing cesium and other radioactive substances.

Hiroshi Kishi, head of the federation, criticized the NRA's plan as "extremely regrettable" when meeting with industry minister Yoichi Miyazawa.

Local fishermen hoping to resume operations soon are worried that the move will have a negative impact on the industry, Kishi was quoted by Jiji as saying.

Miyazawa said the administration will not allow the release of radioactive water without due care.

Tetsu Nozaki, head of the Fukushima Prefectural Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations, called on officials to handle the matter with caution.

The NRA's view has raised serious concerns, Nozaki said. Endi