Hong Kong residents were angered on Wednesday by Japan’s plan to discharge radioactive wastewater into the sea, warning they might stop buying Japanese food due to concerns about potential health risks.

The Japanese government has said it intends to discharge treated nuclear wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean from August, with the International Atomic Energy Agency reportedly saying it has approved the plan.

Hong Kong resident Winnie Wu, who frequently purchases fresh food at supermarkets, said she loves Japanese cuisine, but is now worried about Japan’s decision. She said she might choose other restaurants if Tokyo goes ahead with its plan.

Hong Kong resident Winnie Wu said Japan is obliged to refrain from action that could harm people’s health, and discharging radioactive wastewater into the sea could also have health implications on the Japanese people themselves

Wu said Japan is obliged to refrain from action that could harm people’s health, and discharging radioactive wastewater into the sea could also have health implications on the Japanese people themselves.

“If everyone decides against importing Japanese food or visiting Japan, the Japanese economy would be affected. The country’s losses would outweigh the gains,” she said.

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Another Hong Kong resident, Mak Qi-yao, said she usually buys food imported from Japan. She hopes Hong Kong will step up checks on imported food to ensure the safety of Hong Kong people, and enforce stricter food standards.

Gennagy Borodin, a tourist from Kazakhstan who has spent three days in Hong Kong, said if Japan discharges contaminated water into the sea, it would pose a risk to the global environment and human health.

According to a survey by the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions in June this year, nearly 80 percent of more than 600 respondents were against Japan’s plan to discharge nuclear waste water into the sea. More than 60 of them said they might reduce consumption of Japanese food.

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About 41.4 percent of those polled said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government should strengthen radiation checks on imported Japanese food, and 24.1 percent would support a complete ban on food imports from Fukushima and nearby prefectures.

Intern Mike Wong contributed to the story