An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team completed a third review of Japan’s implementation plan to decommission TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station on Tuesday.
The 15-member team praised Japan for taking steps to reduce radiological risks from the site and move toward the safe decommissioning of the damaged plant.
“Japan has made significant progress since our previous missions. The situation on the site has improved – progressive cleanup has led to reduced radiation dose levels in many parts of the site,” IAEA Director of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology Juan Carlos Lentijo said.
The team examined a wide variety of safety and technological decommissioning issues related to the tsunami-stricken power plant. IAEA concerns focused on radioactive waste management and the control and removal of the site’s contaminated water and spent fuel.
“The situation, however, remains very complex, with the increasing amount of contaminated water posing a short-term challenge that must be resolved in a sustainable manner,”
Lentijo said. “The need to remove highly radioactive spent fuel, including damaged fuel and fuel debris, from the reactors that suffered meltdowns poses a huge long-term challenge.”
The IAEA team plans to deliver its final report to Japan by the end of March.
