On 1 June 2016, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the sea water monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during May, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all missions in Tokyo.

The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of May. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

02.06.2016

On 2 May 2016, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the sea water monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during April, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all missions in Tokyo.

The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of April. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

03.05.2016

On 1 April 2016, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the sea water monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during March, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all missions in Tokyo.

The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of March. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

04.04.2016

On 4 March, Japan provided the IAEA with a comprehensive report summarizing the events and highlights on the progress related to recovery operations at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The IAEA had provided its assessments, which is contained in full at the end of the report.

Based on the information in the report, the IAEA recognizes the positive impact of the various countermeasures against groundwater ingress into the reactor buildings including the operation of various groundwater pumping systems. These countermeasures, together with the deployment of the sea-side impermeable wall, have led to a decrease in radioactivity in the port area.

The IAEA considers the removal of contaminated water from the Unit 4 seawater pipe trench and the plugging of the trench as important achievements for further risk reduction on-site. 

No significant changes were observed in the monitoring results for seawater, sediment and marine biota during the period from October 2015 to January 2016. The levels measured by Japan in the marine environment are low and relatively stable.  For the purpose of public reassurance, the IAEA encourages continuation of sea area monitoring, particularly considering the on-going authorised discharges of treated and monitored groundwater into the ocean.

The IAEA also considers that the extensive data quality assurance programme helps to ensure that all stakeholders can be confident of the accuracy and quality of the sea area monitoring data.

Finally, based on the information that has been made available in the report, the Joint IAEA/FAO Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture understands that the measures taken to monitor and respond to issues regarding radionuclide contamination of food are appropriate, and that the food supply chain is under effective control of the relevant authorities.

04.03.2016

On 1 March 2016, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the sea water monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during February, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all missions in Tokyo.

The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of February. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

01.03.2016

On 1 February 2016, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the sea water monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during January, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all missions in Tokyo.

The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of January. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

02.02.2016

On 6 January 2016, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the sea water monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during December 2015, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all missions in Tokyo.

The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of December 2015. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

07.01.2016

On 1 December 2015, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the sea water monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during November, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all missions in Tokyo.

The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of November. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

At the same time, TEPCO has also posted a document on its website concerning the current work environment and future improvements onsite.

01.12.2015

Japan has provided the IAEA with a report summarizing the events and highlights on the progress related to recovery operations at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The IAEA had provided its assessments, which is contained in full at the end of the report.

At the time of writing this report, TEPCO had started operations to pump groundwater from the sub-drains and ground water drain and have reached agreement with many stakeholders to discharge groundwater to the seas after treatment and monitoring to ensure  the concentrations of radionuclides are within the stipulated discharge limits. TEPCO has also completed construction of a seaside wall to reduce outflow of groundwater into the ocean. TEPCO expects these countermeasures to reduce groundwater ingress into the reactor buildings and to reduce the accumulation of contaminated water needing storage and treatment. .

The IAEA assessment addresses these countermeasures and acknowledges that the discharge of treated groundwater and completion of the final section of the seaside impermeable wall were achieved through extensive communication and engagement with many stakeholders and the public. A copy of the final report is available here.  

The IAEA assessment further looks at the sea area radioactivity monitoring results and other related information that has been made available.  The IAEA notes that the regular sea area monitoring results published by the NRA shows that the levels of radionuclides in the marine environment remain stable. The IAEA encourages the continuation of sea area monitoring, particularly now that authorized discharges of treated groundwater into the ocean have started.

The IAEA also noted that preliminary results from the 2015 seawater proficiency test exercise demonstrated that results of sampling from Japanese laboratories are at a par with that of the IAEA and two other independent laboratories. 

Finally, the assessment indicates that the IAEA  continues to acknowledge that systems are in place and are being implemented to prevent food and agricultural products with levels of caesium radionuclides in excess of the national regulatory limits from entering the food supply chain. Food restrictions continue to be revised and updated as necessary, in line with food sampling and monitoring, and this indicates the continued vigilance of the authorities in Japan and their commitment to protecting consumers and trade. 

Based on the information that has been made available, the Joint IAEA/FAO Division understands that the measures taken to monitor and respond to issues regarding radionuclide contamination of food are appropriate, and that the food supply chain is under control. 

25.11.2015

Results of groundwater and sea water monitoring analyses have shown no significant change of radioactivity in sampled groundwater and sea water at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, according to the report on the discharge record and the sea water monitoring results, which was provided by Japan on 2 November to all missions in Tokyo.

The report covers the record and monitoring data of the discharge of groundwater from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems in September and October, as well as the discharge of groundwater for bypassing in October. It includes measurements taken by Tokyo Electric Power Corporation (TEPCO), as well as detailed analyses by a third-party institution. The results of analysis show that radiation levels have been substantially below the operational targets.

The report also includes the results of analysis of sea water sampled during the operations, which showed that the radiation level of sea water has remained low, and no significant change in radioactivity had been observed.

04.11.2015

Results of groundwater analysis have shown no significant change of radioactivity in sampled groundwater at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, according to a regular report on release and post-release monitoring of "groundwater bypassing" which was circulated by Japan on 1 October to all missions in Tokyo. 

The report covers the record and monitoring data for groundwater releases at Fukushima Daiichi on the 1st, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th of September. It also includes measurements taken by Tokyo Electric Power Corporation (TEPCO) during and after the groundwater releases, as well as detailed analysis by a third-party institution of the same groundwater. The results show that the radioactive levels of sampled groundwater are substantially below the operational targets.

02.10.2015

Radioactivity in water near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has remained low and stable from 6 to 8 September 2015, according to the regular update provided by Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) to the IAEA. Limited samplng was undertaken  from 9-12 September in Point T-2-1 (1.3 km from the plant) because of bad weather.

At the same time, NRA also released a report from TEPCO on leakages of water from dikes in tank areas storing contaminted water at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station between 9 and 14 September. The report states that there was no effect on the ocean through this incident. NRA has instructed TEPCO to continue monitoring the situation and to appropriately manage the water in the dikes taking into account this incident.

18.09.2015