Japan: Decontamination Delusion
Channel: rumorecurioso
Date: 12/07/2013

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/

SECOND FUKUSHIMA DEBRIS STORAGE SURVEY UNDERWAY
 
Japan's Environment Ministry has started a land survey at a second candidate site for storing radioactive soil and debris near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

 The survey began on Friday in Naraha Town. It is one of 3 areas where the government wants to build intermediate storage facilities for contaminated debris.

 Senior Vice Environment Minister Shinji Inoue observed workers using heavy machinery and taking soil samples.

 He told reporters that the survey is behind schedule and that the ministry hopes to open the facility in early 2015.

 Naraha officials have allowed the survey on condition that they will accept only debris that comes from the town. They have not agreed to build a storage facility.

 Naraha became a no-entry zone after the nuclear accident in March 2011 and all residents have been evacuated. But the government has re-designated the town as an area where authorities will provide support to allow residents return home soon.

 Many Naraha evacuees are worried that they won't be able to return if they give up their land for the facility.

 The ministry started a similar survey in Okuma Town in early July. It says it will let residents know the results of both surveys.

 The ministry has yet to start a survey in a third candidate site in Futaba Town. Officials plan to hold briefings for Futaba residents from next week.

Jul. 12, 2013 - Updated 09:23 UTC

TEST FACILITY TO KEEP DECOMMISSIONING WASTE SHOWN

 The operator of a nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in northern Japan is studying ways to permanently dispose of radioactive equipment and other waste.

Japan Nuclear Fuel built an experimental complex in Rokkasho Village, Aomori Prefecture, in 2006 to test safe methods for storage and disposal.

Tough nuclear safety standards introduced on Monday may force utilities to decommission several ageing reactors, giving urgency to a need for disposal sites that can hold waste such as reactor control rods.

The new safety regulations effectively limit the lifespan of reactors to 40 years.

NHK filmed the inside of Japan Nuclear Fuel's facility on Wednesday.

It contains a kilometer-long tunnel at a depth of 100 meters.

At the deepest point, a concrete container about 11 meters high holds mock radioactive waste that is undergoing a range of tests.

Japan Nuclear Fuel says the site in Rokkasho will not be made permanent.

The government is yet to choose final disposal sites for nuclear waste. Resistance from local communities has delayed the process.

Jul. 10, 2013 - Updated 20:57 UTC

DEBRIS REMOVAL COMPLETED IN TSUNAMI-HIT TOWN
 
Workers have completed the removal of debris left from the 2011 tsunami in Naraha Town near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

 The completion means that decontamination work can now be started in the coastal areas of Naraha, to pave the way for the early return of residents who evacuated their homes following the nuclear accident 2 years ago.

 Parts of the town were included in a no-entry zone due to concerns about radioactive substances leaked from the plant. The restriction was lifted in August last year.

 The central government began removing debris in the town in March and the work was completed at the end of June, the first among municipalities with sites designated as off-limits.

 Pieces of wood and piles of debris from the foundations of houses are being stored at 2 temporary sites.

 The Environment Ministry says that conditions have been met to launch decontamination work in the coastal areas.

 The ministry says levels of radioactive substances contained in the debris were lower than the government-set limit of 100,000 becquerels per kilogram.

 Debris removal work will be launched in other municipalities as soon as temporary storage sites are secured.

Jul. 6, 2013 - Updated 21:04 UTC

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