TOKYO (AFP) – Japan’s prime minister ate what he called “safe and delicious” fish from Fukushima yesterday, days after wastewater was released from the area’s crippled nuclear plant into the Pacific.
A video clip showing Fumio Kishida eating Fukushima fish, published on social media by his office following the discharge that began on August 24.
“This is very good,” 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 showed the leader joined by three other ministers at his office for sashimi, fruits, rice and vegetables from the Fukushima region.
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.
International Atomic Energy Agency head Rafael Grossi reiterated yesterday that the water being released was safe according to the United Nations watchdog.
