Japan’s 750 Billion Won Support Measures for Contaminated Water Discharge: Korea Must Consider Claiming Damages

If more than 1.3 million tons of radioactively contaminated water stored at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant is released into the sea from this summer, consumption of seafood in both Korea and Japan will sharply decrease, and the fisheries industries of the two countries are expected to face a direct hit. Although Japan claims that ‘contaminated water is safe’, it has prepared support measures of ‘750 billion won + α’ in preparation for all-round damage to fishermen, but the Korean government has been found to remain passive. As Korean fishermen also suffer ‘direct damage’ due to the discharge of contaminated water into the sea, it seems that it is necessary to reasonably calculate the scale of damage in Korea and consider whether to claim damages from Japan. According to data from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and Tokyo Electric Power on the 6th, the Japanese government is planning to provide support for damage caused by the discharge of contaminated water in two ways: funds and compensation. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, which has been preparing preparations since April 2021, when it decided to release the fish into the sea, has secured a total of 80 billion yen (approximately 750 billion won) in funds to countermeasures against damage to fishermen, including 30 billion yen in November of that year and 50 billion yen in November of last year. Of this, 30 billion yen is used for expenses such as purchasing fish from fishermen and keeping them frozen in the event that consumption decreases due to ‘spoilage damage’ (damage such as damage to reputation and decrease in consumption due to consumer anxiety) after the discharge of contaminated water. . The remaining 50 billion yen will be invested in developing new fishing grounds, subsidizing fuel costs, and fostering successors for the sustainability of Japan’s fisheries industry. The Japanese government set out to establish a ‘super-large fund’ to suppress the dissatisfaction of fishermen who strongly oppose the discharge of contaminated water. In this regard, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yasutoshi Nishimura said, “The discharge of ALPS treated water should not interfere with fishermen. We will support fishermen so that they can operate safely in the future,” he said. Nevertheless, the National Association of Fisheries Cooperatives, including Fukushima Prefecture, opposes the discharge of contaminated water. TEPCO will directly compensate local residents for individual damages caused by the discharge of contaminated water in the fishing, agriculture, fish processing, fishery wholesale, and tourism industries. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will manage and supervise Tokyo Electric Power Corporation to ensure proper compensation.

In this regard, TEPCO has already decided on the subject and standard of compensation. Fukushima Prefecture, which is expected to be heavily damaged, as well as neighboring areas, agriculture, fisheries, and tourism industries are expected to receive compensation, but in principle, they decided not to impose any special restrictions. Tetsuya Yumioka, head of the Compensation Office at TEPCO’s Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant, said at a briefing session on compensation held in December of last year, “We will pay compensation if damage occurs, regardless of region, industry, or period. Even if it takes 30 to 40 years, we will respond politely to the last person.” In order to receive compensation, in the case of the agricultural and fisheries industry, business must be conducted before the discharge of contaminated water, and losses such as a decrease in the price of agricultural and marine products or a decrease in sales must occur. A decrease in exports is also included in the damage. If you look at the 26-page document “Regarding the standard for compensation in the event of flood damage” released by TEPCO in December of last year, a price drop due to the discharge of contaminated water is expected, so the “price before the discharge of contaminated water” (standard price) It even presents a damage calculation formula that subtracts the ‘price after release’ from , and then multiplies the ‘catch amount after release’ or ‘sales volume after release’. Nevertheless, there are voices saying, “It is difficult to calculate the amount of damage caused by flood damage,” and TEPCO plans to respond flexibly by considering regions and industries. It is expected that the discharge will continue for at least 30 years, so the cost of compensation is inevitable. Korea, the world’s No. 1 fishery product consumption per capita, is also expected to suffer enormous damage because consumers are concerned about the discharge of contaminated water. According to a study on damage caused by the decision to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant in November last year by the Jeju Research Institute, 83.4% of respondents in a survey of 1,000 people said they would reduce consumption of seafood if contaminated water was released. The decrease in consumption is 44.6-48.8%, which translates into an annual loss of 3.72 trillion won. In an April 2021 survey of 500 people by Consumer Citizens’ Group, 91.2% of respondents said they would reduce seafood consumption.

Radioactive material-contaminated water stored in a tank at the site of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. yunhap news

The Korean government’s countermeasures are extremely lukewarm, even though there is a ‘going noise’ in the fisheries industry every day. According to data received from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries by Democratic Party lawmaker Wie Sung-gon (Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock, Food, Oceans and Fisheries Committee), △Government stockpiling project (108 billion → 175 billion won) △Support for purchase of fishery products (65.8 billion → 95.8 billion won) △ It is confirmed that it is only responding to a slight increase in budget from existing projects such as enhancing the value of the fishery industry and promoting consumption (61 billion → 64 billion won). The budget for these three projects to prevent contraction of seafood consumption increased by 100 billion won this year compared to last year. Regarding direct damage to fishermen, such as a decrease in sales, they are reviewing support for emergency management stabilization fund loans and interest compensation for fisheries finance funds. Japan’s discharge of contaminated water has caused great damage to its fishermen, but there is no movement to demand compensation from Japan. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries is only repeating its principled position, “In order to minimize damage to fishermen caused by the discharge of contaminated water, the top priority is to gain public trust through thorough seafood safety management.” Rep. Wie Seong-gon pointed out, “If the contaminated water is released, the fisheries industry is likely to suffer great damage, jeopardizing its survival, but the Yoon Seok-yeol government is virtually ineffective, with only a small increase in existing businesses.” He continued, “The damage caused by the discharge of contaminated water in Japan directly affects neighboring countries. The Yoon government should demand compensation from Japan for the damages to Korean fishermen,” he stressed. Correspondent Kim So-yeon, Tokyo/[email protected]