Fukushima Daiichi Status Updates

On 8 October 2019, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during September, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.

The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of September. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

On 12 September 2019, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during August, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.

The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of August. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

On 9 September 2019, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during July, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.

The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of July. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

The Japanese Government has provided the IAEA with a report that summarizes the events and highlights the progress related to recovery operations at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The IAEA provided its assessments, which are contained in full at the end of the report.

Contaminated water management (including groundwater control and reducing generation of contaminated water)

The IAEA acknowledges the continuous efforts that have been made by Japan for controlling the groundwater level and the resulting significant decrease of groundwater inflow into the buildings in the period between FY2014 and FY2018.

Storage of ALPS treated water

The IAEA acknowledges the updated information and refers to the first advisory point provided in the 4th Peer Review Mission report: “a decision on the disposition path for the stored ALPS treated water containing tritium and other radionuclides, after further treatment as needed, must be taken urgently, engaging all stakeholders, to ensure the sustainability of the decommissioning activities and of the safe and effective implementation of other risk reduction measures.”

Fuel removal from Units 1, 2 and 3

The IAEA notes the water injection reduction test which was recently completed in Unit 2.

The IAEA acknowledges the ongoing progress toward fuel removal from SFPs in Units 1, 2 and 3 and takes notice of the scheduled commencement of fuel removal from the Unit 3 SFP.

Off-site decontamination

The IAEA acknowledges the progress made by Japan since the last report of 2018, particularly an increased volume of transportation of removed soil and waste to the ISF, which should help reduce radiological risks in surrounding off-site areas where such soil and waste are temporally placed.

Sea area monitoring results

Based on the information provided by Japan, no significant changes were observed in the monitoring results for seawater, sediment and marine biota during the period covered by this report. The levels measured by Japan in the marine environment are low and relatively stable. For the purpose of public reassurance, the IAEA encourages the continuation of sea area monitoring, particularly considering the ongoing authorized discharges of treated and monitored groundwater into the ocean.

Sea area monitoring data quality assurance

The results of previous proficiency tests and inter-laboratory comparison exercises, show that Japanese laboratories monitoring seawater, marine sediment and fish from near the Fukushima Daiichi NPS produce reliable data. 

The IAEA considers that the extensive data quality assurance programme contributes to building confidence of the stakeholders in the accuracy and quality of the sea area monitoring data.^1/

Food products

Based on the information provided by Japan, food restrictions continue to be revised and updated as necessary in line with food monitoring results. This indicates continued vigilance of the authorities in Japan and their commitment to protecting consumers and trade. The situation with regard to the safety of the food supply, fishery and agricultural production continues to remain stable. Monitoring foods, appropriate regulatory action and public communication are helping to maintain confidence in the safety of the food supply.

Based on the information that has been made available, the Joint FAO/IAEA Division understands that measures to monitor and respond to issues regarding radionuclide contamination of food are appropriate, and that the food supply chain is controlled effectively by the relevant authorities.

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^1/ A report on the first three years of the inter-laboratory comparison exercise activities was published in July 2017.

On 11 July 2019, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during June, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.

The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of June. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

On 18 June 2019, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during May, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.

The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of May. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

On 20 May 2019, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during April, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.

The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of April. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

On 19 April 2019, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during March, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.

The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of March. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

On 12 March 2019, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during February, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.

The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of February. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

On 12 February 2019, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during January, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.

The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of January. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

On 11 January 2019, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during December, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.

The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of December. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

On 7 December 2018, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during November which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.

The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of November. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

On 8 November 2018, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during October which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.

The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of October. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

On 10 October 2018, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during September, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.

The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of September. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

On 5 September 2018, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during August, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.

The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of August. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

On 6 August 2018, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during July, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.

The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of  July. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

On 4 July 2018, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during June, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.

The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of  June. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

The Japanese Government has provided the IAEA with a report that summarizes the events and highlights the progress related to recovery operations at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The IAEA provided its assessments, which are contained in full at the end of the report.

Groundwater control

The IAEA notes the assessment of the Japanese Committee on Countermeasures for Contaminated Water Treatment relating to the contribution of land-side impermeable walls towards a significant reduction in the ingress of water.

Fuel removal from the spent fuel pools in Units 2 and 3

The IAEA notes the ongoing progress toward fuel removal from the spent fuel pools in Units 2 and 3. The IAEA also notes the commitment of Japan to safety as the first priority.

Off-site decontamination

The IAEA acknowledges the report by the Government of Japan on this matter. The IAEA also recognises the progress in the transportation of removed soil and waste to the Interim Storage Facility.

Sea area monitoring results

Based on the information provided by Japan, no significant changes were observed in the monitoring results for seawater, sediment and marine biota during the period covered by this report. The levels measured by Japan in the marine environment are low and relatively stable. For the purpose of public reassurance, the IAEA encourages the continuation of sea area monitoring, particularly considering the ongoing authorized discharges of treated and monitored groundwater into the ocean.

Sea area monitoring data quality assurance

The IAEA continues to assist the Government of Japan in ensuring that the regularly updated Sea Area Monitoring programme is comprehensive, credible and transparent. To test the sampling and analytical performance of the Japanese laboratories for the analysis of radionuclides in seawater, sediment and fisheries samples, the IAEA organised proficiency tests annually and interlaboratory comparison exercises biannually for seawater and annually for sediment and fisheries samples for the period 2014-2016. Beginning with 2017 all exercises are organised once every year. The reporting on the seventh interlaboratory comparison exercise and the fourth proficiency test are currently ongoing. Seawater, marine sediment and fish samples from coastal waters in the Fukushima Prefecture, which were jointly collected by IAEA and Japanese experts in October 2017, were analysed as part of this seventh interlaboratory comparison exercise. The eighth interlaboratory comparison exercise will be organised in the second half of 2018.

The IAEA considers that the extensive data quality assurance programme helps to build confidence of the stakeholders in the accuracy and quality of the sea area monitoring data^[1].

Food products

Based on the information provided by the authorities of Japan, the situation with regard to the safety of food, fishery and agricultural production continues to remain stable. No significant changes were observed since the previous report. Monitoring foods, appropriate regulatory action and public communication are helping to maintain confidence in the safety of the food supply. Food restrictions continue to be revised and updated as necessary in line with the food monitoring results. This indicates the continued vigilance of the authorities in Japan and their commitment to protecting consumers and trade.

Based on the information that has been made available, the Joint FAO/IAEA Division understands that measures to monitor and respond to issues regarding radionuclide contamination of food are appropriate, and that the food supply chain is controlled effectively by the relevant authorities.

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^[1] A report on the on the first three years of the interlaboratory comparison exercise activities was published in July 2017.

On 4 June 2018, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during May, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.

The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of May. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

On 1 May 2018, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during April, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.

The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of April. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.