Japan - August 24, 2024

Residents of Fukushima took to the streets on Saturday in protest against the ongoing discharge of nuclear-contaminated water into the Pacific Ocean, a decision that has sparked widespread concern and opposition both locally and internationally.

One year ago, on August 24, 2023, despite opposition from local fishermen and residents, as well as backlash from the international community, Japan began releasing the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean and has since conducted seven rounds of discharge.

On Aug 7, the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the plant's operator, started the eighth round of discharging nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean.

Japan is estimated to have released a total of 63,000 tons of contaminated water into the ocean following the conclusion of the eighth round of ocean discharge on Sunday.

This long-term discharge has sparked intense discontent among Fukushima residents, who are deeply dissatisfied with the government's decision.

Shotlist:
Fukushima, Japan - Aug 24, 2024:
1. Protesters holding signs, banners;
2. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) protester (name not given):
"Even though residents in Fukushima and all the fishermen are against it, the government still doesn't consider other options. Just for the sake of convenience, they choose to release nuclear-contaminated water into the sea. I think this is intolerable.";
3. Protest banner;
4. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) protester (name not given) (starting with shot 3):
"These radioactive substances will gradually accumulate in the fish, and then accumulate in the human body through the food chain. No one can know for sure what kind of health risks this could lead to.";
5. Protester holding banner;
6. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) protester (name not given):
"Now Japan continues releasing nuclear-contaminated water into the sea and tells the world the discharge is safe. But in fact, it is not safe, and this is essentially a lie.";
7. Protesters holding signs, banners;
8. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) protester (name not given):
"I think releasing radioactive material into the environment is something that men should never do.";
9. Protesters holding signs, banners;
FILE: Fukushima, Japan - Feb 16, 2022
10. Aerial shots of nuclear power plant, seaside;
FILE: Fukushima, Japan - Aug 24, 2023
11. Various of fishing boats berthed at port, dead fish.

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