Japan to Use Slightly Radioactive Soil for Flower Beds at Prime Minister’s Office
By Mari Yamaguchi – Tokyo (AP)
Japan announced plans on Tuesday to use slightly radioactive soil from the Fukushima cleanup in flower beds at Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s office, aiming to demonstrate its safety for reuse. This soil was part of the decontamination efforts after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster and has been stored securely since then. Officials claim certain portions meet safety standards for public use, following guidelines endorsed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The initiative aims to reassure the public about the safety of the soil, with future plans to incorporate it into government projects, including flower beds at various agencies. However, exact timelines are still under consideration, with a roadmap expected by summer.
Despite these efforts, public unease remains; a prior proposal to use the soil in Tokyo parks was halted due to protests. Japan is tasked with managing approximately 14 million cubic meters of contaminated materials collected during the cleanup and aims to identify disposal sites outside Fukushima by 2045. The IAEA continues to support Japan in its complex decommissioning efforts, including the removal of melted fuel debris from the plant.
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