Progress of decontamination

• The accident at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station led to the spread of radioactive materials over a wide area. Decontamination of contaminated land and buildings has been undertaken to rapidly reduce the impact of radioactive materials on human health and the living environment.
• Whole area decontamination was completed by the end of March 2018, excluding Difficult-to-Return Zones.
• In the Difficult-to-return Zone, decontamination of the Specified Reconstruction and Revitalization Base Areas, aimed at the early return of residents and relocation of outsiders, is almost complete and evacuation orders have been lifted. Decontamination of the Specified Living Areas for Returnees, aimed at facilitating the return of residents and rebuilding their livelihoods, began as of December 2023. 

【State of decontamination in Specified Living Areas for Returnees】

Decontamination completion status in each municipality

• Area the national government conducts decontamination(Blue)
• Area each municipality conducts decontamination(Orange)

Decontamination process ​

• The law* stipulates that it is the national government's responsibility to transport soil and waste generated during decontamination from temporary storage sites to the Interim Storage Facility and complete final disposal outside Fukushima by March 2045, 30 years after the start of transport. (*JESCO Act)

Links (Japanese only)​

• Storage status of removed soil and waste
• State of decontamination in municipalities
• Steps for Environmental Restoration in Fukushima Prefecture
• Decontamination efforts in Fukushima Prefecture