Okuma, Japan, February 18, 2025: IAEA chief Rafael Grossi arrived in Japan for his fifth official visit, focusing on the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant’s decommissioning and the management of contaminated soil from the 2011 disaster. He will inspect interim storage facilities and review the government’s radioactive waste handling efforts. Recently, workers at the plant began dismantling wastewater storage tanks to make room for nuclear debris, marking a crucial step in the long-term cleanup process.
Japan has stored approximately 13 million cubic meters of contaminated soil across 16 square kilometers and plans to recycle 75 percent for civil engineering projects if it meets safety standards. The remaining highly contaminated soil is set for disposal outside Fukushima by 2045, with authorities expected to finalize the disposal site this year amid growing pressure from local officials.
