Fukushima Daiichi Status Updates

Radioactivity in water near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has remained low and stable from 28 June to 4 July 2015, according to the regular update and sea area monitoring results provided by Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) to the IAEA.

Radioactivity in water near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has remained low and stable from 5 July to 11 July 2015, according to the regular update and sea area monitoring results provided by Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) to the IAEA.

At the same time,  information from TEPCO on the overflow of rainwater from Drainage K into the sea outside the port of Fukushima was circulated by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to consular missions and international organizations in Japan. The report confirms that, on the morning of 16 July, some of the rainwater overflowed into the sea outside the port due to heavy rain. The overflow tapered off as the rain stopped and while measurements of radioactivity rose temporarirly is sea water samples just outside Drainage K, levels outside the port conitnuesto remain low. TEPCO is continuing to monitor the situation and implementing current shifting work to the drainage channels.

Radioactivity in water near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has remained low and stable from 5 July to 11 July 2015, according to the regular update and sea area monitoring results provided by Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) to the IAEA.

Radioactivity in water near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has remained low and stable from 28 June to 4 July 2015, according to the regular update and sea area monitoring results provided by Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) to the IAEA.

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also released a regular report -- sent to all consular missions and international organizations in Japan -- on the release record and post-release sea water monitoring results of groundwater bypassing at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station for the month of June. As in similar past reports, the results show that radioactive levels of sampled water are substantially below operational targets set by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). 

Radioactivity in water near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has remained low and stable from 21 to 27 June 2015, according to the regular update and sea area monitoring results provided by Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) to the IAEA. 

Tokyo Electric Power Corporation announced that removal of the highly contaminated water into an underground tunnel housing pipes and cables outside the Unit 2 turbine has been completed. Removal of the remaining water at Unit 3 will begin shortly pending government approval.

Radioactivity in water near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has remained low and stable from 7  to 13 June 2015, according to the regular update and sea area monitoring results provided by Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) to the IAEA.

Radioactivity in water near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has remained low and stable from 31 May to 6 June 2015, according to the regular update and sea area monitoring results provided by Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) to the IAEA.

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 had provided its assessments, which is contained in full at the end of the report.

The IAEA assessment refers to the final report of the International Decommissioning Peer Review Mission to Japan that took place from 9 to 17 February 2015 was published on 14 May 2015. The scope of this Mission -- and the follow-up expert visit on 17-21 April 2015 -- covered the majority of issues pertaining to current and forecast conditions, radiation worker protection, and actions taken by the Japanese government. A copy of the final report is available here.  

At the time of writing this report, nearly all of the stored water, already treated for the removal of cesium, had been treated for the removal of strontium-90. Approximately 70 per cent of the stored water has also been treated for the removal of the other radionuclides as well, while the remaining 30 per cent would still require additional treatment. The assessment notes that the water thus treated would still contain tritium and storage of treated contaminated water containing tritium in above ground tanks is a temporary measure while TEPCO develops a more sustainable solution. The IAEA is aware of the recent news carried by the media on discovered water leaking and will seek additional information from counterparts in Japan to continue assessment of developments.

The IAEA assessment further looks at the sea area radioactivity monitoring results and other related information that has been made available.  The IAEA considers here that the situation in the marine environment is stable but should continue to be monitored.

Finally, the assessment indicates that the Agency considers that systems are in place and are being implemented that prevent food and agricultural products with levels of caesium radionuclides in excess of the national regulatory limits from entering the food supply chain.

Radioactivity in water near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has remained low and stable from 17 to 23 May 2015, according to the regular update and sea area monitoring results provided by Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) to the IAEA.

Radioactivity in water near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has remained low and stable from 10 to 16 May 2015, according to the regular update and sea area monitoring results provided by Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) to the IAEA.

Radioactivity in water near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has remained low and stable from 26 April to 9 May 2015, according to the regular update and sea area monitoring results provided by Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) to the IAEA. 

Tokyo Electric Power Corporation (TEPCO) will soon also be providing significantly more of its radiation monitoring data online for easier analysis.  How and when this data will be disclosed is outlined in this document.

Results of groundwater analysis have shown no significant change of radioactivity in sampled groundwater at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, according to a regular report on release and post-release monitoring of "groundwater bypassing" which was circulated by Japan on 1 May  to  all missions in Tokyo. 

The report covers the record and monitoring  data for  groundwater releases at Fukushima Daiichi on the 5th, 11th, 17th, 23rd and 30th of April. It also  includes measurements taken by Tokyo Electric Power Corporation (TEPCO) during and after the groundwater releases, as well as detailed analysis by a third-party institution of the same groundwater. The results show that the radioactive levels of sampled groundwater are substantially below the operational targets.

Japan's Tokyo Electric Power Corporation (TEPCO) has identified and categorized all possible risks that might have an impact outside the site boundary of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station following the detection of a puddle of highly contaminated water discovered at the rooftop of the Unit 2 record building on 24 February 2015. Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs distributed information on the result of the comprehensive risk review to all embassies, consular missions and international organizations in Japan today.

The risk review identified 190 target items, 124 of which were classified either as countermeasure in practice, needing follow-up observation or needing no additional measures. Of the remaining 66 items, 21 were classified as needing necessary countermeasures, one of which needed immediate countermeasures, and 45 were classified as needing further examination.

The background and nature of the comprehensive risk review is explained in page 4 of the attached document.

Radioactivity in water near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has remained low and stable from 19 to 25 April 2015, according to the regular update and sea area monitoring results provided by Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) to the IAEA. The update also provides a chart of sampling tests for caesium-137 and caesium-137 taken around the waters of Fukushima from 10 December 2013 to 25 April 2015.

The next update from the NRA is scheduled to be released on 12 May 2015.

Radioactivity in water near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has remained low and stable from 12 to 18 April 2015, according to the regular update and sea area monitoring results provided by Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) to the IAEA.

Radioactivity in water near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has remained low and stable from 5 to 11 April 2015, according to the regular update and sea area monitoring results provided by Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) to the IAEA.

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) is conducting a comprehensive review to identify all the possible risks that might have an impact outside the site boundary of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, according to information recently submitted by Japan to the IAEA. The comprehensive review process follows the detection of a puddle of highly contaminated water at the large carry-in entrance rooftop of the Unit 2 Reactor Building on 24 February, which is a potential source of inlets to the drainage system.

In an an interim report released on 9 April, TEPCO also made available the details of the reviewing process, which aim to identify risks that might involve leakage of water or scattering of dust. After risks are identified, they will be classified into five categories: 1. Need further examination, 2. Countermeasures necessary to be taken, 3. Countermeasures in practice, 4. Follow-up observation (after implementing countermeasures) in practice, 5. No need for additional measures.

As for the risks classified as "Countermeasures necessary to be taken", suitable countermeasures will be considered and their implementation will start subsequently. In addition, risks will be regularly reviewed and the result of the review announced.

For further information about the detail of this reviewing process, please see this document.

Radioactivity in water near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has remained low and stable from 29 March to 4 April 2015, according to the regular update and sea area monitoring results provided by Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) to the IAEA.

Radioactivity in water near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant has remained low and stable from 8 to 14 March 2015, according to the regular update and sea area monitoring results provided to the IAEA by Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA).

In addition, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has recently provided the following information:

• Schedule of Main Targeted Events at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.
• A short technical note regarding contaminated water purification.
• A survey report regarding fish and shell fish measurements.
• A statement indicating that 90% of the stored contaminated water is scheduled to be treated by the end of May 2015.

TEPCO also released a statement on its website regarding the fourth anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami.

Radioactivity in water near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has remained low and stable from 1 to 7 March 2015, according to the regular update and sea area monitoring results provided by Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) to the IAEA.