13 years after meltdown, the head of Japan’s nuclear cleanup is probing mysteries inside reactors

Critics say the 30- to 40-year cleanup target set by the government and TEPCO is overly optimistic.The lack of data, technology and plans on what to do with the fatally radioactive melted fuel and other nuclear waste at the end makes it difficult to have a clear view of how the plant complex and its surroundings may end up when the cleanup ends.Ono has said the utility’s role is to do its best to tackle the challenges one at a time and safely.Last August, the plant began discharging treated water into the sea, which Ono said was a major step forward. If the next attempt to recover a sample from the No. 2 reactor succeeds, it will be “a huge step” and “a major change of stage,” he said.Fukushima Daiichi is currently releasing a fourth 7,800-ton batch of water. So far, daily seawater sampling results have met safety standards, but the controversial plan has faced protests from local fishers and neighboring countries, especially China, which has banned Japanese seafood imports.TEPCO finished removing all spent fuel rods from a cooling pool at No. 4 reactor in 2014 and from the No. 3 reactor pool in 2021. It plans to complete removal of the rods from the No. 1 and No. 2 pools by 2031.



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