No.61 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Site Inspection

This time, based on a request from the National Mayors' Association, we accepted a site inspection of the nuclear power plant. After applying for the mayor recruitment, I was able to participate on November 2, 2016.
On that day, we traveled by bus from Koriyama Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen to J-village, where we received a lecture on radiation and radioactive materials from Mayor Tachi of Soma City, and listened to safety precautions from a representative of Tokyo Electric Power Company before changing into disaster prevention clothing and heading to the site.
First, we confirmed our identities at the access control facility, received a temporary entry card, and after passing through the radiation inspection gate, we were lent personal dosimeters and finally entered the premises.
Due to anti-terrorism measures and security reasons, photography was prohibited on the premises, and the bringing of cameras and other devices was restricted, so I could only take photos at J-village. Site photos were provided later by Tokyo Electric Power Company.
The inspection of the premises was conducted from inside the bus. We first passed by the multi-nuclide removal facility (ALPS), checked the exterior of Units 1 to 4, and then passed through the corridor between Units 2 and 3 while observing the frozen soil impermeable wall. When we were close to the reactor building that had collapsed due to the hydrogen explosion, a sense of tension swept over everyone.
We viewed the fuel tanks on the seaside that were damaged by the tsunami, passed by Units 5 and 6, which had no tsunami damage and were in cold shutdown, and finally got off the bus to tour the seismic isolation important building. This is where the emergency response headquarters is located, and it is at the forefront of decommissioning work, with 40 to 50 people present at all times. Here too, entry checks and radiation inspection gates were strict.
The inspection lasted about 2 hours, and the radiation levels of concern are as follows.

Maximum value at the hotspot near the main gate between J-village and the First Nuclear Power Plant: 6.2μSv (micro sieverts) /h (unit omitted, measurement taken inside the vehicle)

• In front of ALPS on campus 0.8
• Location about 50 meters away from Reactor Unit 1, further location about 150 meters away, 2
• In front of Reactor Unit 4 12
• Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3 Front Maximum Value 277
• Nuclear Power Plant Units 5 and 6 Front 1.6
• My personal accumulated exposure dose during the inspection: γ (gamma) radiation 0.01 mSv (millisieverts), β radiation 0.00 mSv

The radiation levels have reportedly decreased significantly since the initial accident, except for some areas within the site. The entire site is covered with mortar, and it is said that no new radioactive materials are being dispersed. Most workers were not wearing protective clothing such as Tyvek suits, except for those very close to the reactor, and were mostly in regular work clothes with masks and gloves. We visited without wearing masks, dressed in standard disaster prevention clothing. The ALPS system, which experienced issues immediately after installation, is now functioning normally, and the frozen soil impermeable wall to stop new groundwater inflow is completed on the sea side, with most of the mountain side also finished.
Overall, the impression is that the reactor is in a stable cold shutdown, and while there are unresolved issues such as the method for handling fuel debris towards decommissioning, I felt that progress is being made steadily. Above all, I was surprised that I could get so close to the reactor for inspection.
Bad situations are reported immediately, but it seems that smooth situations are not reported much, and I feel that the current state of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant is not being accurately conveyed to the public.
As Mayor Tachi mentioned, it is important to "correctly fear and wisely avoid radiation." This is a national project that will take 30 to 40 years until decommissioning, and I believe it is essential for us to understand it properly and keep a close watch on it.
Additionally, J-village, which serves as the base for responding to the nuclear accident, has been decided to be reused as a training facility in conjunction with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and it is said that it will be restored by 2018. The accommodation facilities for workers are gradually moving to Naraha Town, where evacuation orders have been lifted, and many newly built apartments were visible along National Route 6. In areas like Tomioka Town, which is a preparation area for lifting evacuation orders, dining halls and convenience stores for workers are in operation, and it was confirmed during this inspection that recovery is progressing in these aspects as well.