Press Releases

Visit of IAEA officials and international experts for a review on the discharge of ALPS treated water from TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the Sea (Results)

December 13, 2024
Japanese
  1. From 9 to 12 December, the IAEA Task Force consisting of the IAEA officials and international experts visited Japan for the review on the safety and regulatory aspects of the discharge of the ALPS treated water from TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) into the sea.
  2. This IAEA review is based on the Terms of Reference (TOR) on reviews of safety aspects of handling the ALPS treated water signed in July 2021 with the IAEA.
  3. During the review, the Government of Japan and TEPCO explained the updates concerning the status of the discharge of the ALPS treated water during FY 2024 and the results of sea area monitoring since the start of the discharge. Also, the IAEA Task Force had meetings with the Government of Japan and TEPCO to discuss the Japan’s effort consistent with the IAEA international safety standards after the start of the discharge and the radiological environmental impact assessment one year after the commencement of discharge, and confirmed that the discharge has been carried out safely as planned.
  4. On 11 December, the IAEA Task Force visited the FDNPS site to review the facilities for the discharge of the ALPS treated water.
  5. The independent review by the IAEA, an international organization with authority in the field of nuclear energy, is extremely important in ensuring reliability and transparency regarding the safety and handling of the ALPS treated water and fostering better understanding both domestically and internationally. The Government of Japan will continue to work firmly to gain further understanding of ALPS treated water both domestically and internationally in close cooperation with the IAEA, which firmly maintains neutrality.
(Reference1) ALPS treated water

The 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, the ALPS treated water is sufficiently diluted before the discharges into the sea so that radioactive materials including tritium is far below the regulatory standards for safety.

(Reference2) Composition of IAEA Task Force

The IAEA Task Force includes 11 international experts, serving in an independent position, from Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, France, Republic of Korea, the Marshall Islands, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Vietnam.

(Reference3)
  1. The first visit for safety review on the Handling of ALPS treated water (February 18, 2022)
  2. The second visit for safety review on the Handling of ALPS treated water (November 18, 2022)
  3. The first visit for regulatory review on the Handling of ALPS treated water (March 25, 2022)
  4. The second visit for regulatory review on the Handling of ALPS treated water (January 20, 2023)
  5. The comprehensive review on the Handling of ALPS treated water (June 2, 2023)
  6. The first review mission after the start of the discharge of ALPS treated water (October 27, 2023)
  7. The second review mission after the start of the discharge of ALPS treated water (April 26, 2024)

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