Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Several thousand Japanese marched in Tokyo on Tuesday to protest the discharge of tritium-contaminated water from the damaged Fukushima power plant.

The power plant remains in a state of disrepair following the damage caused by a tsunami in 2011. Water is needed to keep the plant safe but becomes contaminated as it is used. The release of this water into the Pacific Ocean is said to be imminent, causing much concern among the population and among neighboring countries.

After gathering near Yoyogi Park in central Tokyo, representatives from several civic organizations made speeches to report on issues related to the Fukushima disaster. They spoke of the suffering of “nuclear refugees” and noted the rise in cases of young people with thyroid cancer, which is an issue in a lawsuit against the plant’s owner, Tokyo Electric Power Company.

The demonstrators also paid tribute to the recently deceased Nobel Laureate OE Kenzaburo, a committed supporter of the anti-nuclear movement.

Among the demonstrators who marched through Tokyo were young dockers who expressed concern after the ministry’s announcement that nearly a million tonnes of water would be released into the ocean.

The demonstrators urged the government of KISHIDA Fumio change its energy policy and promote clean energy sources.