Fukushima Daiichi - Still Leaking! Beta Radiation Detected
Channel: rumorecurioso
Date: 30/06/2013

STRONGER RADIOACTIVITY AT FUKUSHIMA DAIICHI WELL
 
The operator of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant has detected a higher level of radioactivity, including from strontium, at a new observation well closer to the sea.

 Tokyo Electric Power Company says it will further investigate possible leaks of contaminated water into the ocean.

 TEPCO said it determined on Friday that the level of beta radiation in water at a newly dug observation well was more than twice the level at an older one.

 The higher level was 3,000 Becquerel per liter. Beta radiation is emitted by strontium and other radioactive nuclei.

 The new well was dug at a point close to the sea after TEPCO found that radioactive tritium and strontium were higher than government-set levels at the older well near a reactor building.

 TEPCO says it's hard to know the reason at the moment, but the level of radioactivity in the sea has not greatly changed. It adds it is also unknown whether anything has leaked into the sea.

 The operator says it will set up more observation wells to analyze the groundwater in the Fukushima Daiichi plant site. It is also planning to solidify the ground for seawalls to avoid leakage.

Jun. 30, 2013 - Updated 02:24 UTC

ROADMAP REVISED FOR SCRAPPING FUKUSHIMA REACTORS
 
Japan's government and the operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant have officially endorsed a renewed roadmap for scrapping the crippled reactors.

 Officials of the government and Tokyo Electric Power Company approved the revision in a joint panel meeting on Thursday.

 The revision is meant to accelerate work to dismantle the plant's 4 reactors, which were disabled in the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

 But officials warn the work could fall behind schedule because engineers have yet to determine the exact state of melted fuel inside the reactors.

 The revised roadmap has set different timelines for removing fuel from the No. 1, 2 and 3 reactors. No.4 was offline at the time of the accident.

 Removal could start in the first half of 2020 at the earliest at the No. 1 and No. 2 reactors. That's one and a half years sooner than the previous plan.

 Officials say decommissioning work, including tearing down reactor buildings, could take as long as 40 years.

 The panel also decided to form a new organization to hear from people in the region about how to proceed with the work. Industry minister Toshimitsu Motegi said communications with local people must be strengthened.

 Motegi told officials to steadily proceed first with removal of fuel rods from the pool at the No.4 reactor, and make proper decisions for each of the 3 others on when to start the work.

Jun. 27, 2013 - Updated 09:48 UTC

GROUP TO EXPLAIN REACTOR DECOMMISSION TO BE SET UP

The Japanese government and the operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant will officially endorse a renewed roadmap for dismantling its crippled reactors later on Thursday. Officials say the plan will include a new organization to hear from people in the area.

 Officials of the government and Tokyo Electric Power Company had been finalizing the timetable for decommissioning the 4 reactors, disabled in the earthquake and tsunami two years ago.

 They say they will ask leaders of local governments to take part in the new organization to hear their opinions on the decommission procedures and ways to inform the residents.

 The plan covers various scenarios for removing the melted nuclear fuel from 3 of the reactors.
 Engineers will start with the No.1 and 2 reactors in the year 2020 at the earliest. That's 18 months sooner than the current plan. But the plan accepts that work could be delayed.

 Engineers say the melted fuel rods are believed to have eaten through the reactor cores. But they have yet to identify the exact situation inside the reactors as the radiation level remains extremely high.

Jun. 26, 2013 - Updated 20:19 UTC

JAPAN HOPES FOR PROGRESS IN IRAN'S NUCLEAR ISSUE

 The top government spokesperson for Japan says it will petition the new Iranian leadership to peacefully resolve the long-running dispute over its nuclear program.

Moderate cleric Hassan Rouhani, who is backed by reformist groups in Iran, enjoyed a landslide victory in weekend presidential elections.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said on Monday Japan maintains friendly ties with Iran. He expects that under the leadership of Rouhani, Iran will talk frankly with the international community to resolve the dispute over its nuclear ambitions.

He said Japan hopes that Iran will help to bring peace and stability to the Middle East.

Jun. 17, 2013 - Updated 06:53 UTC