日 국민 절반, "후쿠시마 오염수 해양 방출 반대"...정부, 후쿠시마 오염수 대응 고민

A Japanese survey shows over half of the country's citizens are against the idea of their government's plan to release radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant.
Japan's neighbors are voicing concerns.
Yoon Jung-min reports.
A recent survey conducted by the local daily Yomiuri Shimbun shows about 50 percent of citizens in Japan are against their government's plan to discharge radioactive water from the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea.
The survey was conducted on over one-thousand eligible voters across Japan.
As well as local governments, fishing industries in the northeastern prefecture of Fukushima are also opposed to the idea.
Seoul's foreign ministry has repeatedly voiced its concerns over such a plan, adding it will closely monitor developments and take action with the international community, if necessary.
Beijing has also called on Tokyo to make a decision carefully after negotiating with its neighbors.
It pointed out that radioactive material from the 2011 tsunami and earthquake has already been discharged,... which poses a grave threat to the marine environment and human health.
The Japanese government is likely to officially announce its discharge plan early next week.
"We would like to deepen a discussion within the government and want to responsibly make a decision at an appropriate time."
If confirmed, the disposal is likely to begin from October 2022.
Some experts say there aren't many realistic measures to prevent Japan from discharging the contaminated water.
Sources say the South Korean government is currently focused on pressuring Japan to discharge it transparently and safely so the international community can, at the least, feel less concerned,... rather than seeking ways to make Tokyo completely withdraw its plan.
Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.