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Japan's Reports on Conditions at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station

On 4 March, Japan provided the IAEA with a comprehensive report summarizing the events and highlights on the progress related to recovery operations at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The IAEA had provided its assessments, which is contained in full at the end of the report.

Based on the information in the report, the IAEA recognizes the positive impact of the various countermeasures against groundwater ingress into the reactor buildings including the operation of various groundwater pumping systems. These countermeasures, together with the deployment of the sea-side impermeable wall, have led to a decrease in radioactivity in the port area.

The IAEA considers the removal of contaminated water from the Unit 4 seawater pipe trench and the plugging of the trench as important achievements for further risk reduction on-site. 

No significant changes were observed in the monitoring results for seawater, sediment and marine biota during the period from October 2015 to January 2016. The levels measured by Japan in the marine environment are low and relatively stable.  For the purpose of public reassurance, the IAEA encourages continuation of sea area monitoring, particularly considering the on-going authorised discharges of treated and monitored groundwater into the ocean.

The IAEA also considers that the extensive data quality assurance programme helps to ensure that all stakeholders can be confident of the accuracy and quality of the sea area monitoring data.

Finally, based on the information that has been made available in the report, the Joint IAEA/FAO Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture understands that the measures taken to monitor and respond to issues regarding radionuclide contamination of food are appropriate, and that the food supply chain is under effective control of the relevant authorities.

Last update: 17 Jul 2020

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