IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi and Japan's Environment Minister Hirotaka Ishihara sign an MoC on the safe management of soil and waste from the Fukushima Daiichi accident. (Photo:K. Laffan/IAEA)
The IAEA and Japan have reinforced their collaboration on recovering the environment in Fukushima Prefecture.
This week, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi and Japan's Environment Minister, Hirotaka Ishihara, signed a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) on the managed recycling and final disposal of removed soil and waste generated during decontamination activities after the 2011 accident at the Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO)'s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.
"This reflects the IAEA's continued commitment to supporting Japan's recovery and environmental remediation efforts following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident, in line with IAEA Safety Standards," said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.
Environmental Recovery in Fukushima
Over the past decade, Japan has implemented extensive remediation activities across affected areas, including the removal and management of large volumes of soil. About 14 million cubic meters of soil and waste - If the removed soil is levelled over an area of 10 x 10 square km, the thickness will be approximately 14 cm - were removed during decontamination activities. Around 75% of the removed soil, which has low levels of radioactivity, will be recycled for use in land development, embankments, landfills and other projects in Japan.
The remaining soil is currently stored and managed in an interim storage facility in Fukushima Prefecture.
Japanese law stipulates that for the removed soil and waste, necessary measures must be taken to complete their final disposal outside Fukushima Prefecture by March 2045, after measures such as volume reduction are implemented.
"Cooperation with the IAEA is essential to ensure that our efforts in the managed recycling and the final disposal of removed soil and waste continue to progress in a safe and transparent manner," said Environment Minister Hirotaka Ishihara. "Through this strengthened partnership, we aim to further enhance public understanding and confidence while advancing our long-term objectives."
Signed on 23 June 2026 in Tokyo, the IAEA will continue to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience, including on public communication and stakeholder engagement.
These efforts have contributed to ensuring that Japan's approach remains aligned with international safety standards while generating valuable experience for the global community.
