Delay in decontamination unacceptable

August 31, 2015

Panel: Delay in decontamination work regrettable

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20150901_04.html

Aug. 31, 2015 - Updated 22:36 UTC+2

A panel of Japan's Environment Ministry says the government should reflect on the greatly delayed decontamination work in Fukushima Prefecture.
A nuclear accident occurred there in 2011.

The panel of experts released a draft outline at a meeting in Tokyo on Monday. The panel has been looking into the disposal of contaminated waste from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.

The draft refers to the government-run decontamination operation in evacuation zones in the prefecture. The projected end of the work was revised to the end of March, 2017 -- about 2 to 3 years later than initially planned.

The panel said the government should reflect on the delay caused by difficulties in securing initial storage sites for contaminated soil and debris.

The draft also refers to the issue of building disposal facilities for radioactive waste. The government plans to set up such facilities in 5 prefectures in eastern and northeastern Japan, but faces local objections.

The panel only said that the government should continue providing explanations to communities.

The draft approves the continuation of the government policy on decontamination and nuclear waste disposal, saying that the basic framework is working effectively.

The panel plans to compile a report at the next meeting.