International compensation pact & US help

November 1, 2013

Japan to join nuclear compensation pact

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20131101_16.html

A Japanese Cabinet minister has notified the United States of Japan's intention to join an international treaty on compensation for nuclear accidents.

Economy and industry minister Toshimitsu Motegi conveyed the message to visiting US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz in Tokyo on Thursday.

The US government has been asking Japan to ratify the treaty, which is aimed at helping participating countries pay compensation for damage from nuclear accidents with funds contributed by member nations.

Moniz welcomed Japan's decision.

The ministers agreed to coordinate closely toward the conclusion of the pact.

Moniz expressed the US's willingness to continue to help Japan decommission the Fukushima Daiichi plant and stem leaks of contaminated water at the facility.

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US, TEPCO to work together on Fukushima plant

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20131101_35.html

The US Energy Secretary and the president of Tokyo Electric Power Company have agreed to enhance technical cooperation to better deal with problems at the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

Secretary Ernest Moniz toured the plant on Friday accompanied by TEPCO President Naomi Hirose.

Moniz inspected wells to monitor the spread of underground radioactive contamination and equipment to pump up radioactive water close to the ocean.

Groundwater flows from nearby mountains into the plant compound, absorbs radioactive substances there and then leaks into the ocean. TEPCO is still unable either to identify exactly where radioactive water is leaking or to keep track of the movement of groundwater.
Moniz reportedly said Energy Department researchers are currently working on technologies to contain contaminated water and they can be of help.

A radiation leak at the Hartford nuclear site in the state of Washington earlier this year prompted the US Energy Department to set up a research institute to develop technologies to handle such accidents.

Moniz and Hirose agreed to strengthen technical cooperation in 5 fields. These include disposal of radioactive water, preventing the contamination of underground water and the removal of melted nuclear fuel.

US ready to help decommission reactors in Fukushima

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20131101_05.html