Protests erupt over Japan's move to release wastewater from damaged nuclear power plant into Pacific Ocean

South Korean protesters take to the streets of Seoul on Saturday after Japan's move to discharge wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea. LEE JIN-MAN/AP

"Japan, I am angry!" "Keep our Pacific nuclear-free!"

On Aug 25, hundreds of Fijians marched on the streets of their capital Suva, raising their voices strongly against Japan's dumping of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean.

The protesters, led by Fijian NGO Coalition on Human Rights, called for international action to halt Tokyo's move and to protect the ocean and future generations.

Despite widespread denunciation at home and abroad, Japan on Aug 24 started discharging nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

"This is a horrendous and horrible move by Japan," said Lusia Lagilevo, a protester from NGO Citizens' Constitutional Forum. "It's a disrespect to our rights as human beings."

"Although we are from small island countries, we still deserve to have our rights, our dignity and our freedoms respected," Lagilevo told Xinhua News Agency.

Thousands of South Korean fishermen, activists and politicians held a protest rally in central Seoul on Saturday, condemning Japan's dumping of the contaminated wastewater.

"Even if fishermen catch blue crabs, merchants do not take them even after their price plunged by more than half," Kim Young-bok, a 63-year-old fisherman from the southwest coastal county of Yeonggwang, said during the rally.

"Wholesale marine products markets (in Seoul, Busan and other cities) are seeing business drop," he said.

"If it's safe and not problematic, why would Japan not store (the wastewater) on its land but dump it into the Pacific Ocean, the well of the world, to worry everyone and damage everyone's health?" said Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party.

Lee called the wastewater dumping a "provocation against humanity" and urged Tokyo to immediately stop the discharge threatening the safety of people around the world.