Fact Check Video Claiming Fish Dying From Fukushima Discharge False

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Multiple videos on various social media platforms showing numerous dead fish washed up on a shore as a result of the treated nuclear discharge from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant are false.
This is according to a review by the fact-checking organisation Faqcheck Lab.
Faqcheck Lab found multiple versions of the same video being shared on social media outlets including TikTok, with one implying a "Godzilla-like" beast is imminent because of the discharge.
Screenshots of the same video also appeared on X (formerly Twitter) with Chinese text overlayed on the images, claiming this was the aftermath of the Fukushima treated wastewater discharge.
However, checks found that the footage is actually from an eutrophication event in Luoma Lake in Jiangsu province, China, on Aug 23, the day before Japan was scheduled to release the wastewater.
Eutrophication is a process where bodies of water like lakes become overly abundant in nutrients, increasing the amount of algae present.
This depletes oxygen causing a change in appearance, like in Luoma Lake which turned dark green, affecting aquatic life.
China Global Television Network (CGTN) America on Aug 23 also posted on X a short video of fish dying on the shore of Luoma Lake.
The video matches the clips later claimed to be the aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi plant wastewater release.
The wastewater release had prompted fears that seafood imported from Japan would be unsafe to consume, with China, Hong Kong and North Korea banning seafood imports from Japan.
However, Japan said there are no abnormalities in fish samples from the Pacific Ocean, while the International Atomic Energy Association said the discharge remains within global safety standards.
Malaysia has not restricted the import of seafood from Japan.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu said the Health Ministry conducts routine checks on food safety, including radiation inspections, and confirmed seafood imported from Japan is safe to consume.
Malaysiakini and Faqcheck Lab are part of the Malaysian fact-checking alliance JomCheck.
Through JomCheck, Malaysians can submit requests to fact-check a claim by sending a WhatsApp message to the tipline at 017-477 6659 (WhatsApp text only, no calls) or via this link. - Mkini

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