Part 3/14:

However, while officials emphasize the safety protocols, local residents and fishermen harbor concerns. The town of Tomoka, just 10 km from Fukushima, vividly illustrates the aftermath of the 2011 disaster. Once thriving, the community's population has dwindled to only 20% of its previous size, and the local fishing industry has struggled post-disaster due to contamination fears. Fishermen like Akira Aoba worry about the impacts of wastewater discharge on seafood safety and market perception, despite stringent testing that shows their catch remains within safe radiation levels—stricter than national standards.