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Local officials from Fukushima Prefecture on Wednesday called on the central government to take measures to prevent reputational damage to marine products, a day after giving their approval to the construction of facilities to release treated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean. The mayors of the two towns hosting the Fukushima Daiichi plant, Okuma and Futaba, and Fukushima Gov. Masao Uchibori made the request during a meeting with Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Koichi Hagiuda in Tokyo. "The plan has not earned enough understanding from Japanese people and residents of the prefecture, as there are still various opinions including concerns over renewed reputational damage," Uchibori said at the meeting, which was partially open to the media. Hagiuda responded that the plan will be carried out on the premise of securing safety and taking thorough measures to prevent reputational damage, adding, "We will deliver information based on scientific evidence throughout the country and abroad." For the fisheries industry that faces the risk of damage caused by harmful rumors, it is important to create an environment where their products are traded at fair prices so young people can continue to operate their businesses without worries, it said.