About 150 residents from prefectures such as Fukushima and Miyagi went to court on Friday to halt the release of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant, making it the first lawsuit of its kind.
In the suit filed with the Fukushima District Court against the central government and plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, the plaintiffs said the water discharge, which started on Aug. 24, threatens citizens' right to live safely and hinders local fishermen's businesses.
They are also seeking nullification of nuclear regulators' approval of facilities installed for the water discharge and a ban to be placed on the release.