Press Releases
Visit of IAEA officials and international experts on a comprehensive mission to review the planned discharge of ALPS treated water from TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the Sea
From 29 May to 2 June, the IAEA Task Force, composed of IAEA officials and international experts, visited Japan on a comprehensive mission to review the planned discharge of the ALPS treated water from TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) into the sea.
- This IAEA review is based on the Terms of Reference (TOR) on a comprehensive framework for reviewing safety related aspects of handling ALPS treated water at FDNPS signed in July 2021 with the IAEA.
- During the mission, the IAEA had meetings with the Government of Japan and TEPCO to discuss any final issues from the individual reviews conducted to date.
- The IAEA received updates and explanations based on the latest situation from the Government of Japan and TEPCO regarding (1) the review of the safety aspects of handling of ALPS treated water, and (2) the review of regulatory aspects.
- On June 2, an IAEA official and international experts visited the FDNPS site to review the construction status of the discharge of ALPS treated water facilities. Separately, IAEA officials travelled to the FDNPS to observe pre-service inspections conducted by NRA on May 24 and 25.
- Following the mission, the comprehensive report is expected to be issued by the IAEA in due course.
- The Government of Japan will continue to provide necessary information to the IAEA. The Government of Japan also remains committed to making efforts to promote better understanding in the international community regarding the handling of ALPS treated water.
[Reference 1] ALPS treated water
ALPS treated water is water which is processed by devices such as ALPS (Advanced Liquid Processing System) to ensure that the concentration of the radioactive materials other than tritium surely meet the regulatory standards for safety. In addition, it is planned that ALPS treated water will then be sufficiently diluted before the discharges into the sea so that radioactive materials including tritium will be far below the regulatory standards for safety.
[Reference 2]
The IAEA Task Force includes international experts, serving in a personal capacity, from Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, France, Republic of Korea, the Marshall Islands, Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam.
[Reference 3]