The Japanese government will create a fund as a measure against damage caused by rumors about local seafood, with regard to the release of wastewater from the Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings’ Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The fund will buy up marine products if their sales or prices fall. The fisheries industry is recovering from a sharp drop in demand due to the 2011 nuclear power plant accident. The government plans to provide continuous assistance over the long term.

The government has discussed measures to combat harmful rumors following its decision in April 2021 to release treated wastewater into the ocean. The government will include the creation of a fund in its measures [to counter harmful rumors] to be formulated by the end of August. (Abridged)