Experts recommend revising the Japanese government and TEPCO's decommissioning goal for the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant to 2051, suggesting it is unrealistic given the current progress and challenges.
The '1F Decommissioning and Future Research Group', led by Professor Toshiharu Matsuoka of Waseda University, recently called for a reevaluation of the target set by the Japanese government and Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) to complete the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant by 2051. This group, formed in 2019 and consisting of scholars in sociology and nuclear energy, as well as residents of Fukushima Prefecture, has been engaging in discussions with various stakeholders about the decommissioning process and the broader challenges involved in the restoration of the region. They argue that the current pace of progress is inadequate, with less than a gram of the estimated 880 tons of melted nuclear fuel (fuel debris) having been removed so far.
The group has highlighted the impracticality of achieving a complete decommissioning by the target year, stating that most experts in the nuclear field agree it is impossible. They caution that if the deadline approaches without substantial progress, it could lead to a loss of social trust and support for TEPCO and the government. Matsuoka estimates that the complete removal of the fuel debris could take anywhere from 68 to 170 years. They propose setting a 'mid-term goal' that focuses on the stable management of spent nuclear fuel, fuel debris, and radioactive waste, emphasizing that this approach would be crucial for gaining social acceptance for the decommissioning process.
Furthermore, the report discusses the need for collaborative discussions involving a wide range of stakeholders in Fukushima and Japan at large to address the technical and social aspects of decommissioning. It also mentions the role of the "interim storage facilities" surrounding the nuclear plant, which store contaminated soil and waste, advocating for an integrated approach to managing waste from both the plant and these facilities. The proposal can be read in detail on their website, underlining the importance of transparency and community engagement in addressing this critical issue for Fukushima's recovery and future.
