Prior to his departure for an official visit to Japan on 24 July 2011, Director General Amano stated that the IAEA welcomes the significant progress the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has achieved overall in implementing its "Road Map" to contain and stabilize the situation in the aftermath of the nuclear accident at TEPCO's Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station on 11 March 2011.
He said that the company was ahead of the "Road Map's" schedule in some areas. Based on their progress to date, the IAEA notes that their plan to achieve "cold shutdown" by early next year could be possible.
Throughout this process, IAEA staff continues to monitor and report on the implementation activities at the site, he said.
On 25 July, the Director General will visit key locations at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station and have discussions with workers there.