Fukushima Accident Updates (Blog)

Your most reliable source of objective Fukushima News... summaries of news reports in Japan's Press on Fukushima Daiichi, often mis-stated as a nuclear disaster.

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November 17, 2023

Pacific Islands Forum is concerned about the F. Daiichi wastewater releases. Cook Islands PM Mark Brown says “strong concerns” have been raised by “our forum leaders for the significance of potential threats of contamination to the health and security of the blue Pacific." Most have acknowledged the findings of the IAEA, but a few, like the Solomon Islands PM, have denounced the releases, largely because of close diplomatic ties with China. The Pacific Islands Forum consists of Australia, the Cook Islands, Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.https://japantoday.com/category/national/Pacific-island-nations-express-concern-over-Japan's-tainted-water-release
(Late entry) Removal of F. Daiichi corium will be more difficult than wastewater releases. Corium is the resolidified mixture of nuke fuel and surrounding materials from the meltdowns. Tepco spokesperson Kenichi Takahara says, “Removal of the melted fuel debris is not like we can just take it out and be finished.” He said the scarcity of information from inside the containments makes planning and development of robotic technology for the removal extremely difficult. https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14991260

November 10, 2023

The last evacuation order for a Fukushima special reconstruction zone is lifted. This is the last such zone created by Tokyo after the 2011 accident. It is in Tomioka Town and includes a cemetery, community center, and some public roads. The formal removal is scheduled for November 30. The reason is that radiation level have fallen to acceptable levels. Unfortunately, two town districts remain in the “difficult to return” category. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231106_21/
The possibility of filling and solidification for F. Daiichi is resurrected. This method is being added to the partial and full submersion options, already on the table. The two options seem superior because it will stabilize damaged materials, fix radioactive dust in place and provide additional shielding. However, it will probably increase to total volume of waste to be removed. Regardless, the study will look at all possible methods without prejudice. Each method has both advantages and disadvantage relative to the other options. Head of the investigation Yamana Hajimu said, “A still better method might yet be considered, or some combination of the three.” https://www.jaif.or.jp/en/news/6775
The ICRP (International Commission on Radiation Protection) visits F. Daiichi. (Photos only) https://photo.tepco.co.jp/en/date/2023-e/202311-e/231109-01e.html

November 3, 2023

Japan began the third release of F. Daiichi waste water on Thursday. As with the first two release series', 460 tones of essentially harmless liquid is pumped into the Pacific Ocean daily. This will continue for two weeks. As usual, the release is being opposed by China, Russi9a, and local fisheries. Chinese spokesman Wang Wenbin once again exaggerated by calling the wastewater “nuclear contaminated”, and overstated that Japan is “blatantly and irresponsibly spreading the risk of contamination worldwide." Leading F. Daiichi news critic, Mari Yamaguchi, maintains the spraying of several F. Daiichi workers with mildly contaminated flushing water was drenching them with radioactive waste. As always, the Associated Press report drips with radiophobic appeals. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231102_16/ - https://www.tepco.co.jp/en/hd/decommission/information/newsrelease/reference/pdf/2023/reference_20231102_01-e.pdf - https://www.dailysentinel.com/anpa/international/fukushima-daiichi-nuclear-plant-starts-3rd-release-of-treated-radioactive-wastewater-into-the-sea/article_d6ff764c-48c1-50cf-8bfa-537b981ac253.html
Japanese consumers are eating more local fish since China's ban. One fish industry executive said, “After China's ban on Japanese seafood, we are seeing more customers buying not only Fukushima fish but also Japanese seafood in general to support the industry." In addition, auction prices for seafood have been steady, if not higher. https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15047835
Two more Japanese nukes are given 20 year licensing extensions. On Wednesday, the Nuclear Regulation Authority granted extensions to the No.1 and 2 reactors at the Sendai nuclear power Station in Kagoshima Prefecture. This means they can operate thru 2065. The NRA approval was unanimous. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231101_21/
A successful 3-day nuclear evacuation drill was held for the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant. Local dissidents complained the drill did not account for heavy snowfall or delays caused by radiation surveys of automobiles. One parti9cipant decried, I think this kind of drill is useless,” because an actual emergency would result in panic. https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15042691

October 27, 2023

October 27, 2023 -

Criticism of Japan wastewater releases lessens in China. China's shunning of Japanese seafood has hurt both nation's, and perhaps China the most. A Japanese executive in China said, "It's China that takes a bigger hit from this issue." While Chinese seafood imports from Japan have essentially stopped, the drop in domestic Chinese seafood demand may have dropped the market even more. https://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2023102500882
The IAEA conducts its first F. Daiichi wastewater survey. International Atomic Energy Agency senior official Lydie Evrard said IAEA oversight will continue for the duration of the releases. The team will inspect the plant, observe how the treated and diluted water is released and confirm the results of the study. Evrard said “ The first releases went well. No issues were observed”. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231024_13/ - https://japantoday.com/category/national/iaea-officials-say-fukushima's-ongoing-discharge-of-treated-radioactive-wastewater-is-going-well https://photo.tepco.co.jp/en/date/2023-e/202310-e/231020-02e.html
Japan begins its third wastewater release. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231026_30/
Antinuclear ex-Prime Minister Naoto Kan will not run for office again. He was prime Minister during the nuke accident and his meddling only made matters worse. After he was deposed, he became a vocal opponent of nuclear power. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231022_08/ - https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15035503
Four workers were contaminated at F. Daiichi. The Japanese Press made it sound life threatening. But, the descriptions of what happened seem like typical radiophobic overreaction by the press. The men were cleaning a pipe on the ALPS (Advanced Liquid Processing System) wastewater filtration system and were sprayed with about a half cup of the liquid (~100 milliliters) each. Per on-site scan, two were contaminated enough to be taken to Fukushima Medical University Hospital for decontamination and observation. None were actually hospitalized, in contradiction to what most Press outlets said was the case. Only one actually registered above the limit of 5 msv. Two were not found to be contaminated once they removed their work clothing and rinsed off. One was wearing waterproof protective gear. All four were wearing full face masks. The workers sustained no visible harm and all said they had no feeling of ill health. One worker in the 5-person team was not involved. https://japantoday.com/category/national/2-workers-at-fukushima-plant-hospitalized-after-accidentally-getting-sprayed-with-radioactive-waste - https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/10/b701201b284b-2-hospitalized-after-radioactive-liquid-exposure-at-fukushima-plant.html - https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15039078 - https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231027_25/

October 20, 2023

Russia joins China in suspending Japanese seafood imports. The suspension will last until Russian authorities are satisfied that “necessary information on the safety of Japanese seafood is provided to and analyzed by Russian authorities”. The reason is the same as China's … The releases of treated and diluted wastewater from the plant site. The action has been announced by The Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance. Japan was exporting about 190 tons of seafood annually. China imported 156,000 tone annually before the radiophobic ban. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231016_22/ - https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/10/24d55cdf2ccd-urgent-russia-to-restrict-japan-seafood-imports-amid-fukushima-water-release.html - https://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2023101600805
The IAEA collects its first F. Daiichi wastewater and seafood samples for analysis. The International Atomic Energy team includes experts from China, South Korea, and Canada. The seafood includes flounder, horse mackerel and puffer fish. Results will be published by the IAEA. An IAEA official said, “I can say that we don’t expect to see any change starting in the fish.” A Japanese official said, “We want to boost the transparency of the monitoring process by having third parties analyze and assess samples.” A Chinese official says he IAEA alone “falls short of an international monitoring arrangement with the full and substantive participation of all stakeholders that will stay effective for the long haul.” https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/general-news/20231019-144290/ - https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/general-news/20231019-144290/ - https://apnews.com/article/japan-fukushima-nuclear-treated-wastewater-iaea-fish-8fbaed120af32207177336d215b7ccf7

October 13, 2023

An IAEA team will test Fukushima second-round wastewater releases. This time, the group will include experts from China and Canada, as well as from China, Samples will be compared to those from the first round of releases. China claims Japan “has not offered a scientifically credible explanation for its actions.” Third party testing has been done since 3035, but this is the first time China has been past of it. Regardless, China continues its negatively abuse the IAEA plan. Chines official Wang Wenbin says the plan will be carried out by the IAEA under an arrangement with Japan, and thusly fall short of an international monitoring agreement. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231011_18/ - https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15027071
Photos of the IAEA team in action can be found here... https://photo.tepco.co.jp/en/date/2023-e/202310-e/231012-02e.html
Tepco has begun compensation action for Japanese fisheries. The give-out will cover diminished income due to China's baseless fear inflammation over the wastewater releases of August 24 through September 11. Actual compensation began October 2. Estimates for that pay-out runs in the billions of yen. One Fishery spokesperson says “We have been losing about 10 million in sales each week, which is a big blow to our business. We plan to seek compensation for our loss.” Seafood sales in China are down. One salesperson said, “More and more people are avoiding fish and shellfish. Business has been slow even though this is supposed to be one of the busiest seasons for us.” Even Japanese cosmetics sales are taking a major hit. https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/general-news/20231008-141856/
Nearly half of the Chinese people in Japan are worried about the wastewater releases. 25% are “worried” and 22% are “very worried”. Only 8% are “not worried at all”, and nearly 19% are “not very worried”. However, their outward reaction seems to be that of calm. Meanwhile, 92% of Japanese have an unfavorable opinion of China, worsening from 87% last year. https://japantoday.com/category/national/about-half-of-chinese-worried-about-fukushima-water-release-poll
The Fukui governor supports operating nukes beyond 40 years. Governor Tatsuji Sugimoto also approved local used fuel storage until a more permanent site can be approved by 2030. The used bundles will be stored on-site at the nuke plants. Some Fukui Prefectural officials don't like it. One called it a “pie in the sky” plan, while another said the temporary storage could well become de-facto permanent. https://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2023101301149 - https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15028320

October 8, 2023

Tepco begins the second round of wastewater releases. They began on Thursday, October 7, at 10:18 am, Japan time. The ratio of dilution is one ton of treated wastewater stripped of nearly all radionuclides, except essentially harmless Tritium. The Tritium concentration was found to be between 63 and 87 Becquerels per liter. Tepco's self-imposed limit for discharge is 1,500 Becquerels per liter. Japan's standard limit is 60,000 Bq/l. No unusual levels of Tritium, or any other redionuclide, have been found in the seafood taken from near the damaged plant site. Regardless, China continues its ridiculous ban on Japanese seafood. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231005_16/ - https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/10/e25aaa51a481-japan-begins-2nd-round-of-fukushima-treated-water-discharge.html#google_vignette (Nearly all Japanese news outlets carried the story, but these two seem to best cover the range of reporting.)
The IAEA says Tritium is way below the limit for 2^nd discharge.The International Atomic Energy Agency said its independent on-site analysis confirmed that Tritium in the waste water was far below the limit of 1,500 becquerels per liter.https://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2023100600308
Another IAEA task force will review the wastewater release. It will take place October 24-27, with representatives from Argentina, Australia, Britain, Canada, China, France, South Korea, the Marshall Islands, Russia, the United States, and Vietnam. The mission will look at the releases "from an independent standpoint." It is hoped the visit will promote better international understanding. https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/10/25f83a15d8aa-iaea-team-to-visit-japan-late-oct-to-review-fukushima-water-release.html
Japanese anti-nukes call for a nuke restart referendum. A petition for the referendum was submitted to the governor of Kagoshima Prefecture on Monday, October 4. It was signed by more than 46,000 people. The Secretary General of the submitting group said, “This request expresses the will of the people, as the number of signatures far exceeds the required minimum. Now, the conscience of the governor and the assembly will be called into question.” Governor Koichi Shiota said, “I will follow the procedures in an appropriate manner. I will state my position when I submit a draft ordinance.” None of the operating plants in the prefecture have reached the age of 40, but two will by the end of 2025. https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15021894

September 29, 2023

Tepco will start the second round of wastewater releases next week. The schedule is for the process to begin October 5. After closely examining what happened with the first round, no problems were found. Once again, about 7,800 tons will be released. Above-limit levels of tritium have not been detected by TEPCO or the Environment Ministry. Scallop exports were hurt the most. Japan's overall food exports to China slipped 43 pct.https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230928_24/ - https://english.kyodonews.net/ - https://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2023092801129
Japan's seafood exports to China are down 70-75%. China's ban has not stopped imports from Japan, but have severely reduced them. To assuage reduced fishery's income, about $140 will be allocated by Tokyo in addition to the $535 million already planned. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230928_19/ -
Russia considers Japanese seafood restrictions in support of China. Up to now, Russia has taken a low-key approach to the issue, but recent contact between Beijing and Moscow seems show otherwise. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said, “We are strongly calling on Russia to make its decision based on scientific evidence. We received the IAEA review in which experts from Russia also participated.”https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20230928-139537/ - https://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2023092701041
North Korea joins in the criticism of Japan's wastewater discharge. Ambassador Kim Song addressed the UN on Wednesday saying the discharges are “ nuclear contaminated” and will cause “irrevocable damage to the safety of humanity and marine ecological environment." Coincidentally, he said N. Korea is “urgently required” to accelerate its nuclear weapons build-up “to defend itself impregnably”. https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/09/06801c579f33-n-korea-slams-japan-over-water-discharge-from-fukushima-plant.html

September 22, 2023

Tritium level in ocean from F. Daiichi remains undetectable. Actually, it has been such ever since wastewater releases began. The latest weekly survey lasted for three days, ending September 11. Water was tested at eleven points from at the release point to as far as 40 kilometers away. The minimum detectable concentration is 10 Becquerels per liter. Weekly sampling will continue for the duration of this year's releases. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230921_23/
China continues to protest the releases. Its Foreign Ministry says the releases are, “selfish and irresponsible. The ocean sustains humanity. It is not a sewer for Japan’s nuclear-contaminated water.” https://www.dcreport.org/2023/08/26/dumping-japans-nuclear-waste/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw06-oBhC6ARIsAGuzdw1-Jd2OncAbdv5_Ym7xsJP-_iIjB1nHRZqGwivZIGPT2q2mGWSU0G0aAkRrEALw_wcB

September 15, 2023

F. Daiichi Unit #1 can survive a major earthquake. This is the conclusion reached after the most recent investigation by Tepco. The inquiry was required by the Nuclear Regulation Authority after the most recent video evidence of the reactor pedestal. The exposed rebar was studied and found to be sufficient for a quake measuring 900 gals. The investigation is ongoing... https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230911_31/
Tepco has finished the first round of wastewater releases from F. Daiichi. There will be at least three more releases this fiscal year. Tepco plans to release another 7,800 tons later this month. https://japantoday.com/category/national/1st-round-of-treated-water-release-off-fukushima-plant-completed
The long-awaited restart of Takahama No.2 is in progress. Initial control rod withdrawal began at around 3pm today. Power generation should resume by this coming Wednesday. Official commercial operation should follow thereafter. It has been shuttered for about 11 years. https://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2023091500856

September 8, 2023

Tritium in seawater off F. Daiichi is barely detectable. Tepco samples at 10 locations from within 3 km from the plant site. One showed 10 Becquerels per Liter (minimum detectable concentration) for one day, while none of the others registered at or above it. In addition, more than 80% of Japan approves of the wastewater release. The poll was taken by the Mainichi Shimbun, which tends toward the anti-nuclear persuasion. 54% say the discharge is “problematic but unavoidable” and 29% approved in entirety. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230901_32/ - https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230905/p2a/00m/0na/003000c
Japan issues a “scathing critique” of China's response to the wastewater release. The Foreign Ministry said,“Rather than unnecessarily heighten people’s concerns through transmissions not based on scientific evidence, we continue to ask that China transmit accurate information. The discharged water is not ‘polluted water’ as China claims, but is ‘ALPS processed water’ that has been sufficiently purified and then further diluted.” The reasons for the response include 34,000 nuisance calls to Tokyo and Chinese sites “awash” with fake news reports. One even went so far as to show video of black water from a Mexican building in 2012, and saying it was from Fukushima Daiichi. Even more ridiculous one Chinese news report depicted an AI-generated image of Godzilla rising from the sea! One social media site said the entire Pacific will be radioactively polluted in 57 days, using a graphic from the 2011 nuke accident estimate made by antinuclear “experts”. Another video shows thousands of dead fish washing ashore, allegedly in Fukushima. China's state news agency CGTN said Japan was pumping "polluted water and poisoned fish" into the sea. https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14996037 - https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14995809 - https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14995971 - https://japantoday.com/category/national/afp-fact-check-fukushima-wastewater-release-spawns-misinformation
US House Speaker says China's response to the wastewater release is “unfair” and “false”. Visiting Tokyo, Kevin McCarthy said, “It's just an unfair position that they have and a false position that they have from the rest of the world's stance. I just view it as another way of the Communist Party of China putting falsities out there, trying to divide." https://japantoday.com/category/politics/us's-mccarthy-says-china's-position-on-fukushima-discharge-unfair-false
Japanese fishermen and other citizens file suit to stop the wastewater discharge. Some 150 people are taking part in the action. The suit is against Tepco and the Tokyo government. The plaintiffs claim the discharge is illegal, threatens human safety, and hinders the fishing business. A second lawsuit is planned for October. https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230908/p2g/00m/0na/048000c - https://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2023090800404
China refuses to join an IAEA system to assess the F. Daiichi water release. By joining the joint study, China says it will be "tantamount to endorsing the ocean discharge." https://japantoday.com/category/national/china-rejects-japan's-suggestion-of-joining-fukushima-water-framework

September 1, 2023

Tritium not detected in Fukushima seawater or fish. The announcement concerning the fish comes from the Japanese Fisheries Agency. The results were from samples taken from withing 10 kilometers of F. Daiichi. An Olive Flounder and a Gurnard were the types tested. The water results come from Tepco, which has analyzed samples drawn from within 3 kilometers since last Thursday. The company dilutes and releases about 450 tons of the decontaminated waters each day. As of Wednesday, nearly 3,000 tons had been released with an average Tritium level of 200 Becquerels per liter...well below Tepco's limit of 1500 Bq/l. Nearly all sample reports have been posted by Japanese news outlets. In addition, the IAEA, the Environment Ministry, and Fukushima Prefecture verified the daily Tepco postings. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230826_14/ - https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230831_01/ - (includes and infographic of the discharge system.) - https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/general-news/20230901-133831/
U.S. Ambassador Rahm Emanuel says America supports the water release from F. Daiichi. He also calls China's negative response a "blatant political action" and an "act of economic coercion," He said, "The economic coercion against Japan, the robocalls of harassment and disinformation both here in Japan and around (the region) comes right out of China's playbook. This is all politics." American says it is “satisfied” with the wastewater release. https://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2023083101075 - https://japantoday.com/category/politics/u.s.-envoy-china's-reaction-to-fukushima-release-is-economic-coercion - https://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2023082600331
Tokyo calls China's total imports ban “an abnormal response”. Beijing blames the ban on the released water being “polluted”, “dangerous” and “irresponsible”. Almost all of China's allies support the Chinese move. A Japanese Fisheries official said, “While we expected them to do something, we never imagined it would be this extensive" https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14989358 - https://japantoday.com/category/politics/china's-allies-lead-pacific-criticism-of-fukushima-water-release
Chinese over-reaction to F. Daiichi wastewater release gets ugly. Provocative videos ask questions like, "Why are you dumping water contaminated with radioactive substances into the ocean?" and “What is the meaning of this act?” Objects are thrown at Japanese schools, including stones and eggs. A brick is thrown at the Japanese embassy! A man even urinated on the front gate of a Japanese school. Japan's foreign minister said, "It is extremely regrettable and worrying. " The minister asked China to call on its citizens to be calm and “take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Japanese residents and our diplomatic missions in China."The Chinese ministry responded by saying that Chinese citizens should be "cautious in your speech and behavior. Do not speak Japanese unnecessarily or too loudly".https://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2023082700386 - https://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2023082700356 - https://japantoday.com/category/politics/brick-thrown-at-japan-embassy-in-china-in-fukushima-spat - https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/japan-warns-china-of-wto-action-as-fukushima-spat-worsens-1.1964596?fbclid=IwAR35zCfNSWIMrzFRGA75_lMBF3CbeKbZwmzakcdu5T-VzuIbAgNb5SM3e-U
Public facilities and businesses are bombarded with protest calls from China. Vice Foreign Minister Okano Masataka has filed a protest with China's ambassador to Japan. He urged full steps to ensure the safety of the Japanese embassy and Japanese expatriates in China.https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230828_24/
Tokyo officials demand a firm response to China's over-reaction. Members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party want stiff international action. One lawmaker said china's import suspension lack support of scientific evidence while another said the word “regrettable” is too weak and wants a formal protest submitted to the World Trade Organization. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230830_13/

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