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The fishermen watching Fukushima plans with worry

The decision by the Japanese government to release contaminated water -- left over from the Fukushima nuclear disaster -- into the ocean, is being met with skepticism and worry by many of those people dependent on the sea for their livelihoods.

Masao Takahagi is one of them. Fishing communities like his in Iwaki, Japan had only recently resumed their full operations. The region was devastated by the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear power plant disaster 10 years ago.

"I think in the end, there's only the sea where the treated water can be released. But as a fisherman, if they do that, even if they say the fish will be fine, the thing I'm most afraid of is the damaging rumours that may be caused."

Over a million tons of water is being released. It's been treated and diluted to within regulatory limits, and will be pushed out in stages starting in about two years.

Catches from the waters near the plant are also routinely tested for radiation, even though most fishing restrictions have been lifted.

Tokyo Electric Power, owner of the power plant said they would compensate those suffering from reputational harm.

Fishing communities in Japan aren't the only ones worrying.

In Seoul, South Korea's largest fish market, Noryangjin market, some workers are conducting daily checks on radiation levels of seafood imported from Japan.

This is fish shop owner Yoon In-ja:

"It is not like I know the scientific grounds for the damage and I still haven't felt any direct impact regarding Japan's decision to release radioactive water. However, as I am running a business at a seafood market, it can never be a good news."

Both South Korea and China are objecting to Tokyo's decision, and South Korea is considering legal action.

Japan has argued the water release is necessary to press ahead with the complex decommissioning of the plant.

For Takahagi and Yoon, they'll be watching very closely.