A group of older women from Fukushima shake hands with "haenyeo" (Korean female divers) during an event on Jeju Island, Tuesday, where they offered an apology over the discharge of treated wastewater from the Daiichi nuclear plant in northeastern Japan. Courtesy of Greenpeace

A group of older women from Fukushima, Japan, traveled to Jeju Island to offer an apology Tuesday to "haenyeo," Korea's traditional female divers, for Tokyo's decision to release into the ocean treated wastewater from a disabled nuclear power plant. They also pledged to work together to prevent further discharges in the future.

A 2011 earthquake and tsunami severely damaged the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in northeastern Japan, leading to meltdowns and radioactive leaks. Since then, Japan has started releasing treated wastewater from the plant into the Pacific Ocean. While the release is considered safe by international standards, it has been met with concerns and apprehension in the region.

The gathering on the southern resort island was co-hosted by three organizations opposed to the wastewater discharge. Participants, including the Fukushima residents and the Jeju haenyeo, expressed their concerns about the potential environmental impact and urged for an immediate end to the release of contaminated water.

The older women from Fukushima, many of whom have been actively opposing Japan's wastewater discharge, offered a heartfelt apology to the Jeju haenyeo.

"We are deeply sorry," said Ogawara Saki, a resident of Miharu, Fukushima, and a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the Japanese government and Tokyo Electric Power Company. "The ocean connects us, and we must work together to protect it."

The event also provided a platform for solidarity between the communities of Korea and Japan, which both depend on the sea for their livelihoods.

Suzuki Mari, another activist, emphasized the importance of protecting future generations from the long-term consequences of contamination.

"We keep asking ourselves what we can do for our children's future," she said. "Meeting the haenyeo, who are fighting to protect this beautiful sea, is truly inspiring."

Seven Jeju haenyeo also took part in the gathering, expressing concerns that the discharge of water could affect nearby waters and potentially impact marine ecosystems.

Jang Soon-deok, who testified at the UN Human Rights Council in 2023 about the risks of wastewater discharge, called for stronger government intervention.

"This sea is our home, our livelihood," she said. "The government must find a responsible solution."

Other haenyeo also urged action at the national level, emphasizing that civil organizations alone have limited power to address the issue effectively.