Government to Decide on Plan to Recycle or Dispose of Fukushima Soil by Next Spring
The Japanese government has announced its intention to determine a plan for the recycling or disposal of soil in Fukushima Prefecture, which was removed during the cleanup following the 2011 nuclear disaster, by next spring. This decision was made at a ministerial meeting held to discuss the situation.
Background
About 14 million cubic meters of soil is currently piled up at an interim storage facility near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex, which was crippled by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The final disposal site of the soil is yet to be determined. Soil with high radiation levels that cannot be recycled is scheduled to be disposed of outside the prefecture under law by March 2045, but Fukushima Governor Masao Uchibori has urged the central government to swiftly craft a roadmap for its disposal.
Recycling Plan
Japan plans to recycle soil with low radioactivity, or up to 8,000 becquerels per kilogram, by using it to form road embankments, among other public works, to reduce the total amount of soil that eventually needs to be dealt with.
Challenges Ahead
The Japanese government faces significant challenges in implementing this plan, including the need to determine the final disposal site for the soil and to address concerns about the potential health risks associated with the soil. The government must also balance the need to address the issue of soil disposal with the need to protect the environment and public health.
Conclusion
The Japanese government’s plan to decide on the recycling or disposal of Fukushima soil by next spring is a crucial step forward in addressing the ongoing challenges posed by the 2011 nuclear disaster. However, the government must carefully consider the various factors involved in this complex issue and work to ensure that any plan implemented is effective and sustainable.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the purpose of the Japanese government’s plan to recycle or dispose of Fukushima soil?
The purpose of the plan is to address the issue of soil contamination in Fukushima Prefecture, which was caused by the 2011 nuclear disaster. -
How much soil is currently stored at the interim storage facility in Fukushima Prefecture?
About 14 million cubic meters of soil is currently stored at the interim storage facility. -
What is the deadline for disposing of soil with high radiation levels?
Soil with high radiation levels that cannot be recycled is scheduled to be disposed of outside the prefecture under law by March 2045. - What is the plan for recycling soil with low radioactivity?
Soil with low radioactivity will be recycled by using it to form road embankments, among other public works, to reduce the total amount of soil that eventually needs to be dealt with.