For Katsunobu Sakurai, the former mayor of Minamisoma, a city along the coast of Fukushima Prefecture, there is no way releasing treated radioactive water from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant would help the lives of local residents.

Discharging treated water from the plant only communicates a drive to promote and sustain nuclear power and profit, Sakurai said, as local fishers and farmers battle further reputational damage from the water release.

¡°It¡¯s strange that the government can arbitrarily decide the lives of citizens,¡± Sakurai said in an interview. ¡°Especially considering that the power company caused the problem, the way to take responsibility should be in a manner that satisfies the citizens.