STORY: Japan's year-long nuclear-contaminated wastewater discharge sparks protests
SHOOTING TIME: Aug. 24, 2024
DATELINE: Aug. 27, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:11
LOCATION: Tokyo
CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Japanese citizens protesting the Japanese government
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Japanese): TOSHIHIRO INOUE, Leader of protest
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Japanese): MIKA SAKAGUCHI, Victim of Fukushima nuclear disaster
4. various of Japanese citizens protesting the Japanese government

STORYLINE:

A year after Japan started its ocean discharge of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, Japanese citizens have gathered in Tokyo to protest the irresponsible move, while criticizing the Japanese government for shifting the blame for the negative impact on domestic seafood's reputation onto other countries.
   
The protest organized by Japanese civil groups was held on Saturday, a year after the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), or the plant's operator, officially began discharging nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Japanese): TOSHIHIRO INOUE, Leader of protest
"We hope that they immediately stop discharging nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean.
Now the Japanese government and TEPCO want to compensate us with hush money. But I think it's nothing to do with the money. Our most urgent desire is that fishermen can continue to fish with peace of mind, and the seafood is safe."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Japanese): MIKA SAKAGUCHI, Victim of Fukushima nuclear disaster
"It is an indisputable fact that the discharge of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the sea has polluted the sea. No matter how diluted, if the discharge continues, a lot of pollutants will flow into the sea.
A lot of people are aware of this and are very angry.
After the nuclear leak, I lost my home as it was demolished due to radiation contamination.
I think the Japanese government is good at evasive tactics. The real perpetrator is Japan for sure. Neighboring countries including China and our civilians are the real victims."

Japan has conducted eight releases to date, with a total volume of approximately 63,000 tonnes of contaminated water discharged over the past year. 

Additionally, multiple safety incidents occurred at the crippled plant throughout the year, triggering growing concern and doubt among the local public.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Tokyo.
(XHTV)