The Invisible End: The Long Journey of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning

The Invisible End: The Long Journey of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has positioned the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant as a "continuous risk reduction effort to protect people and the environment from the risks posed by radioactive materials. Humanity continues its long dialogue and trial-and-error process in the face of energy remnants that were once out of our control. What is the completion of decommissioning? The answer still lies beyond the haze.

In March 2020, TEPCO formulated a "Mid- to Long-term Action Plan for Decommissioning of Nuclear Power Plants," aiming to complete decommissioning in 30 to 40 years. However, this goal is as far away as if it were on the horizon, and technical issues and unresolved problems are piling up. The government and TEPCO's goal of decommissioning the reactors by 2051 is shaky in the face of reality, and some estimates suggest that it will take more than 100 years to remove the fuel debris from the reactors. Time is surely running out, but will those living in the present day be able to see the end of the project?

The fuel debris lying here refuses to be touched by human hands, but it is still there. A high radiation barrier stands in the way, increasing the difficulty of removing the debris to the utmost limit. A pilot debris retrieval is planned for 2024, using underwater robots and remotely operated arms, but that is only the first step in an epic journey; there are plans for a full-scale retrieval in the late 2040s, but the road is steep and certainty is not promised.

How will this "invisible end" be reached? It will depend not only on technological progress, but also on people's memories and decisions. As the memory of the accident fades, can we continue to confront this issue for generations to come? The journey of decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant is not merely a technological challenge, but may be a question about the nature of human society itself.

### Related Information
- **TEPCO's official definition**: "Continuous risk reduction to protect people and the environment from the risks posed by radioactive materials.
- **Decommissioning Plan**: "Mid- to Long-term Action Plan for Decommissioning" formulated in March 2020, which aims to complete decommissioning in 30 to 40 years.
- **Actual Outlook**: The 2051 completion target set by the government and TEPCO is unrealistic, and it has been pointed out that it may take more than 100 years to remove the fuel debris.