Abstract: The study of Japanese industry associations‘ perceptions of “nuclear sewage disposal” is of practical significance in grasping the domestic public opinion faced by the Japanese government’s forcible activation of “nuclear wastewater disposal”, and has an important reference value in judging the political and economic impacts of “nuclear wastewater disposal”. This article selects nine mainstream industry associations in Japan as analysis samples and examines nine representative research results published by them. Research shows that the Japanese industry associations perception of “nuclear wastewater disposal” is mainly driven by rational opposition, while economic interests, respect for science, and responsiveness to public opinion are the main drivers of its perception. The dissemination of these perceptions of rational opposition may deepen the Japanese people‘s skepticism towards “nuclear wastewater disposal”, and may even lead to continuous protests by the people. Although the perception of stubborn support echoes the “harmlessness theory” of the Japanese government and the United States, it is difficult to appease the Japanese people.

Key words: Japanese industry associations, nuclear wastewater disposal, advanced liquid processing system, economic benefits