Key Facts
• December 2: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.
• First visit since taking office in October 2025.
• Government plans to select final disposal site for decontaminated soil by 2030.
• Decontaminated soil to be stored temporarily in interim facilities until March 2045.
• Low-radioactivity soil to be reused in public works as “reconstruction soil.”
• Prime Minister emphasized prioritizing safety and gaining local understanding.
• Takaichi visited Okuma Town’s interim storage facility to inspect soil storage.
• She acknowledged the sacrifices of residents who gave up ancestral lands.
• Also visited abandoned farmland in Futaba Town’s difficult-to-return zone.
• Received explanation about locally made towel scarves from Futaba’s mayor.
Summary
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant on December 2, marking her first visit since assuming office in October 2025. The visit highlighted the government’s roadmap for managing decontaminated soil from the 2011 nuclear disaster. Plans include selecting a final disposal site by 2030 and completing disposal outside Fukushima by March 2045. Low-radioactivity soil will be repurposed for public works. Takaichi stressed the importance of safety and local cooperation, acknowledging the sacrifices of residents who relinquished their lands. She also inspected interim storage facilities in Okuma Town and visited Futaba Town’s abandoned farmland, where she learned about local recovery efforts, including the production of towel scarves. The visit underscores the government’s commitment to long-term recovery and responsible waste management.
