The Japanese Government has provided the IAEA with a report that summarizes the events and highlights the progress related to recovery operations at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The IAEA provided its assessments, which are contained in full at the end of the report.
Contaminated water management (including groundwater control and reducing generation of contaminated water)
The IAEA acknowledges the continuous efforts that have been made by Japan for controlling the groundwater level and the resulting significant decrease of groundwater inflow into the buildings in the period between FY2014 and FY2018.
Storage of ALPS treated water
The IAEA acknowledges the updated information and refers to the first advisory point provided in the 4th Peer Review Mission report: “a decision on the disposition path for the stored ALPS treated water containing tritium and other radionuclides, after further treatment as needed, must be taken urgently, engaging all stakeholders, to ensure the sustainability of the decommissioning activities and of the safe and effective implementation of other risk reduction measures.”
Fuel removal from Units 1, 2 and 3
The IAEA notes the water injection reduction test which was recently completed in Unit 2.
The IAEA acknowledges the ongoing progress toward fuel removal from SFPs in Units 1, 2 and 3 and takes notice of the scheduled commencement of fuel removal from the Unit 3 SFP.
Off-site decontamination
The IAEA acknowledges the progress made by Japan since the last report of 2018, particularly an increased volume of transportation of removed soil and waste to the ISF, which should help reduce radiological risks in surrounding off-site areas where such soil and waste are temporally placed.
Sea area monitoring results
Based on the information provided by Japan, no significant changes were observed in the monitoring results for seawater, sediment and marine biota during the period covered by this report. The levels measured by Japan in the marine environment are low and relatively stable. For the purpose of public reassurance, the IAEA encourages the continuation of sea area monitoring, particularly considering the ongoing authorized discharges of treated and monitored groundwater into the ocean.
Sea area monitoring data quality assurance
The results of previous proficiency tests and inter-laboratory comparison exercises, show that Japanese laboratories monitoring seawater, marine sediment and fish from near the Fukushima Daiichi NPS produce reliable data.
The IAEA considers that the extensive data quality assurance programme contributes to building confidence of the stakeholders in the accuracy and quality of the sea area monitoring data.1/
Food products
Based on the information provided by Japan, food restrictions continue to be revised and updated as necessary in line with food monitoring results. This indicates continued vigilance of the authorities in Japan and their commitment to protecting consumers and trade. The situation with regard to the safety of the food supply, fishery and agricultural production continues to remain stable. Monitoring foods, appropriate regulatory action and public communication are helping to maintain confidence in the safety of the food supply.
Based on the information that has been made available, the Joint FAO/IAEA Division understands that measures to monitor and respond to issues regarding radionuclide contamination of food are appropriate, and that the food supply chain is controlled effectively by the relevant authorities.
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1/ A report on the first three years of the inter-laboratory comparison exercise activities was published in July 2017.