Final Disposal Outside Fukushima Prefecture and Technology Development Strategy for Volume Reduction & Recycling of the Removed Soil

The Interim Storage Facility (ISF) was established based on a very difficult decision made by the local people of Fukushima Prefecture. Fukushima Prefecture was most seriously damaged due to the nuclear accident and people of the prefecture have been forced to bear heavy burdens. In consideration of the fact that the people of Fukushima Prefecture are already bearing a very heavy burden, the national government set up a basic policy to achieve the “final disposal of removed soil and waste outside Fukushima Prefecture within 30 years from the start of the interim storage,” and on this premise, the people of Fukushima Prefecture accepted the construction of the ISF in the prefecture. The final disposal outside Fukushima Prefecture is the national government's obligation and commitment to be fulfilled without fail as clearly stipulated by law.

For achieving the final disposal outside Fukushima Prefecture, it is important to reduce the total amount for final disposal through volume reduction and managed recycling of removed soil and incinerated ash. For that purpose, initiatives have been taken steadily to develop technologies concerning volume reduction, carry out demonstration projects for promoting recycling, and foster understanding nationwide, in line with the “Technology Development Strategy for Volume Reduction & Recycling of the Removed Soil and Waste under Interim Storage,” which the Ministry of the Environment released in April 2016, with the aim of presenting several feasible options for the structure, required area, etc. regarding the Final Disposal Site by FY2024.

• Included in this reference material on March 31, 2019
• Updated on March 31, 2024