Recovery and Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake through Science and Technology. Recovery and Reconstruction from the Great East Japan

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1 Recovery and Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake through Science and Technology Recovery and Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Feature1 Earthquake through Science and Technology In this special feature, we summarize the situation of recovery and reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE), including the efforts of the Japanese government. We also introduce the process of tackling the challenges of the recovery and reconstruction through science and technology, in accordance with the basic guidelines for reconstruction 1 pursuant to the Basic Act on Reconstruction in Response to the Great East Japan Earthquake (Act No. 76 of 2011). 1 The Current Situation of Recovery and Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Efforts of the Japanese Government (1) Support for disaster victims Evacuees in afflicted regions numbered approximately 470,000 2 immediately after the earthquake, but that number has decreased to 260,000 3 (as of March 13, 2014). Approximately 100,000 have been living in emergency temporary housing 4 (as of March 2014). Regarding support for disaster victims, victims have been monitored so that support can be giving to them when necessary, and mental and other care has been provided. Progress is being made in improving infrastructure and networking among care providers, toward incorporating community-wide care into medical and nursing services. Progress has also been made in establishing subsidies for the relocation of communities to areas of higher elevation, the promotion of house reconstruction and the provision of support for the return of residents who evacuated due to the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). Other programs support infrastructure enhancement and industrial recovery from the accident (Refer to -1 (2), (3) and (4)). (2) Regional development With respect to the recovery of infrastructure, utilities such as electricity and gas had mostly recovered by the middle of FY2011. The recovery of public infrastructure, including traffic networks and waterworks, had also been nearly completed. The restoration rate of directly administered national highways 5 in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima (hereinafter: the three affected prefectures) was 99% as of the end of March 2014, and the railway restoration rate was 90% as of April 6, By of the end of March 2014, Iwate Prefecture and Miyagi Prefecture had completed the disposal of disaster waste. In contrast, in Fukushima Prefecture, 74% of the disaster waste had been disposed (as of the end of March 2014), excluding the region with contaminated waste control. Fukushima is making continuous efforts to complete the disposal of disaster waste as early as possible. Work has started on house reconstruction and the relocation of communities to areas of higher 1 The Basic Guidelines for Reconstruction in Response to the Great East Japan Earthquake (determined by the Reconstruction Headquarters in Response to the Great East Japan Earthquake on July 29, 2011) 2 Six prefectures: Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki and Tochigi (as of March 14, 2011) 3 The number of people residing in shelters (public halls, schools), inns/hotels, residences (public/temporary/private housing, hospitals) and elsewhere (relative s/acquaintance s housing) throughout Japan 4 Seven prefectures: Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Chiba, and Nagano 5 National Highways 4, 6 and 45, which run through the three affected prefectures 1

2 elevation. Of the districts that are subject to the project for collective relocation for disaster mitigation 1 (two districts in Ibaraki Prefecture, and 337 districts elsewhere that are subject to a land restructuring project in the residence reconstruction roadmap) 2, construction has already started in 90% of the districts and has been completed in 15% of the districts (as of the end of March 2014). The three affected prefectures announced that they need approximately 22,000 reconstructed houses, 2,241 of which have been constructed (as of the end of November 2013). In addition, regarding medical facilities, approximately 93% (171 hospitals) of hospitals that had limited hospitalization or that had no capability to admit patients immediately after the disaster have recovered in all three of the affected prefectures. As for school facilities, approximately 96% (2,210 schools) of the schools that had applied for the National Treasury's Sharing of Expenses for Recovery of Public School Facilities Damaged by Disaster have completed their recovery (as of the end of March 2014). (3) Industry and employment 1) Industry As for the mining and manufacturing industries, according to the estimated production value of plants in tsunami-inundated regions 3 (59 plants), their production has mostly recovered to pre-earthquake levels. However, some types of business need more time for recovery. With respect to cash flow support, approximately 270,000 loans have been provided (5.6 trillion yen in total), and approximately 100,000 cases have been guaranteed (2.2 trillion yen in total). The great need for financing has been addressed by this support (as of the end of February 2014). As for agriculture, tsunami-affected farmland accounts for approximately 21,000 ha 4, and about 63% of the affected farmland (approximately 13,000 ha, as of December 2013), is ready to resume farming. As for the fisheries industry, about 45% of all the affected fishing ports have restored their unloading quays (143 of 319 fishing ports, as of the end of February 2014), and the main fish markets in the three affected prefectures have recovered to about 70% 5 of their pre-disaster catch. As for tourism, the number of people staying at accommodations mainly used by tourists in the three affected prefectures has decreased to 82% 6 of the pre-earthquake figure. Tourism in the three affected prefectures remains below the national level. In response to issues facing these industries, the following measures have been taken: promoting the consolidation of farmland plots, promoting restarts of fish processing facilities and other small and mid-sized businesses through support, including financing, and assisting business restarts, with special focus on small and mid-sized businesses, by addressing their double loan problem (the problem of disaster victims who had outstanding business debts but were obliged to take out new loans because the assets which were mortgaged for the loans had been destroyed or could not be used any longer because of the disaster). 1 A project established based on The Act Concerning Special Financial Support for Promoting Group Relocation for Disaster Mitigation (Act No. 132 of 1972) for promoting collective relocation of residents in an uninhabitable zone in the affect areas 2 A roadmap has been drafted, so that disaster victims can have some idea of when they will be able to move in. The roadmap summarizes the status of the development of residential land for private housing and disaster public housing to be supplied through land restructuring plans carried out as a part of the project to promote collective relocation for disaster mitigation. 3 Tsunami-affected regions of the following six prefectures: Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki and Chiba 4 Tsunami-affected farmland of the following six prefectures: Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki and Chiba 5 Catch from February 2013 to January 2014 as a share of that from March 2010 to February Down 17.5% from the same month in 2010, as of December

3 Recovery and Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake through Science and Technology 2) Employment Feature1 Recovery and Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake through Science and Technology With regard to the employment situation in the three affected prefectures, although the effective ratio of job openings to applicants had decreased to 0.45 in April 2011, the ratio rose to 1.24 as of March However, In this special in some feature, coastal we areas, summarize the number the situation of employees of recovery has not and yet reconstruction recovered to pre-earthquake from the Great levels, East due Japan to Earthquake depopulation. (GEJE), In addition, including mismatches the efforts 1 between of the Japanese employment government. demand We and also supply introduce have occurred the process in the of building tackling and the mining challenges industries. of the recovery and reconstruction through science and technology, in accordance In response with to these basic issues, guidelines the government for reconstruction is promoting 1 pursuant support to so the that Basic unemployed Act on Reconstruction people can find jobs. Response Such to the support Great includes East Japan employment Earthquake (Act support No. as 76 a of part 2011). of the industrial policy, careful vocational counseling at public employment agencies and, vocational training. 1 The Current Situation of Recovery and Reconstruction from the Great East (4) Reconstruction Japan Earthquake after the and nuclear the Efforts power of disaster the Japanese Government (1) As Support a basic policy for disaster for the reconstruction victims and revival of Fukushima, in December 2013 the government made Evacuees the Cabinet afflicted decision regions For Accelerating numbered approximately the Reconstruction 470,000 of Fukushima 2 immediately from the after Nuclear the earthquake, Disaster. This but established that number three has decreased basic principles. to 260,000 1) Back 3 (as up of Fukushima March 13, 2014). by offering Approximately support both 100,000 for early have return been living and for in starting emergency new temporary lives. 2) Strengthen housing 4 (as efforts of March for settling 2014). the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Regarding 3) Accelerate support the for reconstruction disaster victims, of victims Fukushima have after been the monitored nuclear disaster so that under support the can initiative be giving of the to national them when government. necessary, and mental and other care has been provided. Progress is being made in improving infrastructure As for the status and networking of evacuees, among evacuees care throughout providers, toward Fukushima incorporating Prefecture community-wide numbered approximately care into 135,000 medical and as of nursing March 10, services Progress Approximately has also 81,000 been of made them in were establishing evacuated subsidies from areas for under the relocation evacuation of orders, communities and approximately to areas of higher 21,000 elevation, of them the were promotion from areas of house where reconstruction the orders had and already the provision been lifted of (former support areas for the prepared return of for residents emergency who evacuation evacuated 2 ). due As to of the August accident 2013, at all the the Fukushima municipalities Daiichi concerned Nuclear had Power revised Station the designations of Tokyo Electric for areas Power that were Company subject (TEPCO). to evacuation Other orders. programs In April support 2014, the infrastructure evacuation order enhancement was lifted and from industrial an area recovery in the city from of the Tamura. accident It (Refer was the to first Feature such 1-1 lifting (2), (3) after and the (4)). accident at the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. (2) Regarding Regional systematic development efforts for the reconstruction and revival of Fukushima, an act 3 to reassure the disaster With respect victims to and the to recovery help them of to infrastructure, realize stability utilities in daily such life as has electricity been drafted, and gas and had living mostly support recovered that gives by the careful middle attention of FY2011. to children The has recovery been provided. of public infrastructure, including traffic networks and waterworks, Regarding had compensation also been nearly for nuclear completed. damages, The the restoration Dispute Reconciliation rate of directly Committee administered for national Nuclear Damage highwayscompensation 5 in Iwate, Miyagi 4 has and arranged Fukushima a settlement (hereinafter: of compensation the three affected damages, prefectures) and the committee was 99% has of been the formulating end of March successive 2014, and guidelines the railway that restoration indicate which rate was items 90% can as of be April regularly 6, categorized as damage and which By of items the shall end of receive March compensation, 2014, Iwate as Prefecture well as indicating and Miyagi the extent Prefecture of compensation. had completed In the addition, disposal since of the disaster Nuclear waste. Damages In contrast, Dispute in Resolution Fukushima Center Prefecture, has received 74% of complaints the disaster about waste its had response been disposed to TEPCO, (as of in May the end 2014, of March the Ministry 2014), of excluding Education, the Culture, region with Sports, contaminated Science and waste Technology control. (MEXT) Fukushima corresponded is making with continuous TEPCO efforts by making to complete a formal the written disposal request of disaster for a waste more sincere as early response. as possible. As Work for has measures started taken on to house reduce reconstruction harm to health and from the radiation, relocation the of government communities is to helping areas Fukushima of higher Prefecture to conduct the Fukushima Health Management Survey, so as to ensure mid- to long-term health management for people in Fukushima. With regard to the Basic Survey, which is part of the Fukushima 1 The Basic Guidelines for Reconstruction in Response to the Great East Japan Earthquake (determined by the Reconstruction Headquarters in Response to the Great East Japan Earthquake on July 29, 2011) 12 A Six situation prefectures: where Aomori, a job applicant Iwate, Miyagi, does not Fukushima, meet the qualification Ibaraki and Tochigi requirements (as of necessary March 14, for 2011) an occupational category or an industry 23 Areas The number mainly of within people a 20- residing to 30-kilometer in shelters radius (public of halls, the TEPCO schools), Fukushima inns/hotels, Daiichi residences Nuclear (public/temporary/private Power Station, except for housing, the evacuation hospitals) order and area elsewhere 3 Act (relative s/acquaintance s on the Promotion of Measures housing) regarding throughout Life Japan Support for Disaster Victims to Protect and Support the Lives of Residents, Including Children Afflicted by the 4 TEPCO Seven prefectures: Nuclear Accident Iwate, (Act Miyagi, No. Fukushima, 48 of 2012) Ibaraki, Tochigi, Chiba, and Nagano 45 Created National by Highways MEXT based 4, 6 and on 45, The which Act on run Compensation through the for three Nuclear affected Damage prefectures (Act No. 147 of 1961) 13

4 Health Management Survey, as of the end of December 2013, Fukushima had completed the estimation of external radiation dose for approximately 470,000 people who were exposed during the four months after the accident. Based on the estimation results, the review committee of the Fukushima Health Management Survey in Fukushima Prefecture concluded that radiation-related health problems are unlikely to occur. Additionally, the committee has taken measures to prevent the distribution of food that contains radioactive substances exceeding standard values and has promoted effective risk communication regarding fears about the impact of low radiation doses on the health of people around the nation. A study on the impact of long-term exposure on health and on methods of reducing such impact is being conducted at the National Institute of Radiological Sciences. As for decontamination, based on the Act 1 and the basic guidelines set under the Act, the Japanese government has carried out decontamination in cooperation with local governments in order to promptly reduce the effects of radioactive pollutants originating from the accident on human health and on living environments. As for decontamination special areas, decontamination based on the plan was completed in four cities/towns, and the decontamination work will continue in parallel with the progress of reconstruction in other municipalities. Additionally, in the pollution status important point investigation areas, municipalities are taking the lead in advancing the decontamination work based on the plan. With regard to securing the safety of the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, and in response to the emergency that occurred after the accident, the government and TEPCO have achieved their goal 2 of stabilizing the plant by cold shutdown condition and by remarkably suppressing the emission of radioactive substances. Since then, they have been working to decommission the reactors based on the Mid-and-Long-Term Roadmap towards the Decommissioning of TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Units 1-4 (revised in June 2013, hereinafter referred to as the Mid-and-Long-Term Roadmap). Regarding responses to the issue of declines in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism due to rumor and misinformation, the Japanese government has provided accurate information, both domestically and internationally, about inspection results regarding radioactive substances and has promoted support for reconstruction and tourism, and for risk communication, in order to increase consumers understanding. Furthermore, Fukushima Prefecture has conducted inspections on its own initiative and has taken other measures, such as the inspection of all rice bags, which are stricter than the requirements issued in the guidelines formulated by the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters. As for the issues of industry and employment throughout Fukushima Prefecture, research and development sites utilizing renewable energy and medical and healthcare devices are being improved to promptly carry out the reconstruction of Fukushima Prefecture, which has suffered significant damage as a result of the nuclear disaster. In addition, to rebuild the industrial infrastructure of the Hamadori area and to realize the reconstruction of the regional economy, the Fukushima International Research Industry City Vision (Innovation Coast Vision) Study Group, which consists of representatives of local governments and knowledgeable persons from industry, academia and government and is chaired by the director-general of the Local Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters, is taking the lead in setting a clear vision for the regional economy and in reviewing necessary support that will lead to the creation of new industries and 1 The Act Concerning Special Measures to Deal with Contamination of the Environment by Radioactive Substances Emitted by the Nuclear Power Plant Accidents Caused by the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake of March 11, 2011 (Act No. 110 of 2011) 2 Step 2 was completed on December 16,

5 Recovery and Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake through Science and Technology employment (as of the end of March 2014). Feature1 Recovery and Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake through Science and Technology (5) Efforts for recovery and reconstruction with the Comprehensive Strategy on Science, In Technology this special feature, and Innovation we summarize the situation of recovery and reconstruction from the Great East Japan In the Earthquake Comprehensive (GEJE), Strategy including on Science, the efforts Technology of the and Japanese Innovation government. (cabinet decision We also of introduce June 7, 2013), the process it has been of tackling decided the to maximize challenges the of use the of recovery science, technology and reconstruction and innovation through and science to effectively and technology, and efficiently in promote accordance activities with the during basic the guidelines reconstruction for reconstruction of the affected 1 pursuant regions, to so the that Basic they Act can on become Reconstruction places of in possibilities Response to the and Great new East creations. Japan Earthquake (Act No. 76 of 2011). As one of the challenges to be addressed by science, technology and innovation, the strategy set early recovery 1 The and Current revitalization Situation from the of Great Recovery East Japan and Earthquake, Reconstruction under which from are the Great following East five focused Japan issues. Earthquake and the Efforts of the Japanese Government (1) 1) Support Realizing for a society disaster where victims residents' health is protected from disasters and where children and the Evacuees elderly are in afflicted sound and regions healthy numbered approximately 470,000 2 immediately after the earthquake, but that 2) number Establishing has decreased an energy to system 260,000 that 3 (as is of resilient March against 13, 2014). disasters Approximately 100,000 have been living in emergency 3) Developing temporary business housing models 4 (as for of local March industries 2014). 4) Regarding Establishing support next-generation for disaster victims, infrastructure victims that have is resilient been monitored against disasters so that support can be giving to them 5) Mitigating when necessary, and resolving and mental the and influences other care of radioactive has been provided. materials Progress is being made in improving infrastructure Additionally, and when networking tackling these among issues, care in providers, order to accelerate toward incorporating reconstruction community-wide and restoration, care prompt into solutions medical and to these nursing issues services. need to Progress be achieved has in also a short been period made in of establishing time so as to subsidies hasten the for reconstruction the relocation and of restoration communities of to the areas affected of higher regions; elevation, meanwhile, the promotion outcomes of house obtained reconstruction through working and the on provision mid- and of long-term support for issues the return shall of be residents utilized sequentially. who evacuated Furthermore, due to accident the strategy the articulates Fukushima the Daiichi goal that Nuclear the affected Power Station regions of will Tokyo proactively Electric inform Power people Company in Japan (TEPCO). and overseas Other programs about these support results infrastructure and that the practical enhancement nature and of industrial those results recovery will from be a the shining accident example (Refer for to other Feature countries 1-1 (2), throughout (3) and (4)). the world to follow. (2) In Regional addition, on development the basis of the strategy, the Council for Science and Technology Policy included efforts toward With the respect early to reconstruction the recovery of and infrastructure, recovery from utilities GEJE such in as the electricity Action Plans and for gas Science had mostly and Technology recovered Priority by the Measures middle of 2014, FY2011. thus directing The recovery special attention of public to these infrastructure, issues. including traffic networks and waterworks, had also been nearly completed. The restoration rate of directly administered national highways 5 in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima (hereinafter: the three affected prefectures) was 99% as of the end Feature-1 of March 2014, Efforts and the toward railway restoration the Creation rate was of 90% a as New of April Tohoku 6, region By of the end of March 2014, Iwate Prefecture and Miyagi Prefecture had completed the disposal of Even before the GEJE, the Tohoku district had many problems, such as depopulation, demographic aging and disaster industrial waste. hollowing. In contrast, In light in of Fukushima this, the government Prefecture, is making 74% efforts of the to disaster overcome waste these problems had been and disposed to make (as the of the earthquake end of March disaster 2014), reconstruction excluding a turning the point region for creating with contaminated a new Tohoku waste region control. that will serve Fukushima as a role is model making to our country and the world, rather than simply restoring Tohoku to its former state. continuous efforts to complete the disposal of disaster waste as early as possible. In addressing the problems resulting from the GEJE and the subsequent Work has started on house reconstruction and the relocation of communities to areas of higher TEPCO Fukushima nuclear power station accident, it is particularly important to create original Tohoku technology and industries by utilizing ICT and cutting-edge techniques, in addition to making new efforts to promote the use of renewable energy and to improve the use efficiency of energy toward the creation 1 The Basic Guidelines for Reconstruction in Response to the Great East Japan Earthquake (determined by the Reconstruction Headquarters in Response to the of a Great sustainable East Japan society. Earthquake on July 29, 2011) 2 Six prefectures: Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki and Tochigi (as of March 14, 2011) 3 For The example, number of people the world s residing first in shelters experimental (public halls, research schools), inns/hotels, project on residences floating (public/temporary/private ocean housing, hospitals) and elsewhere wind-power (relative s/acquaintance s generation housing) is being throughout conducted Japan off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture. Floating offshore wind-power 4 Seven prefectures: Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Chiba, and Nagano Toward the full-scale commercialization of this project, efforts are being made to generation facility 5 National Highways 4, 6 and 45, which run through the three affected prefectures Courtesy of METI evaluate the safety, reliability and economic efficiency of this technology, in 15

6 addition to establishing the technology. From FY2014, the installation and evaluation of two world-class floating offshore wind-power generation facilities (output: 7MW) will start. These facilities are expected to serve as a symbol of reconstruction and restoration for Fukushima Prefecture, where renewable energy is regarded as a pillar supporting the restoration. Also, the government is working on the introduction of binary electric power generation 1 at Tsuchiyu-Onsen (hot spring) in Fukushima Prefecture as part of the new Tohoku region leading model project, by utilizing hot spring water gushing from the source at about 150 and using the residual heat from the hot spring. At the same time, land-based aquaculture farms that rely on the cooling water used for binary power generation have been developed, and further efforts are being made to develop an innovative eco hot spring resort and to vitalize the regional economy, such as by creating products of the sixth industry from products produced in land-based aquaculture. 2 Examples of Efforts toward Recovery and Reconstruction through Science and Technology Various efforts have been made by practically applying science and technology toward the recovery and reconstruction of the affected regions. Of the various efforts taken, below we discuss examples of those made by the national government, local governments, universities and other organizations, including various private companies. (1) Efforts for disaster-resilient regional development 1) Efforts to improve the accuracy of the Earthquake Early Warning System When the GEJE occurred, it was recorded as having an intensity of 6 upper on the Japanese scale in the Kanto region; however, the earthquake intensity predicted by the Earthquake Early Warning System did not exceed 4; thus, the earthquake intensity was not predicted accurately. Also, subsequent aftershocks were predicted to have intensities higher than they ended up having. Thus, inappropriate information was released. The following were pointed out as major factors responsible for these problems. 1) The Earthquake Early Warning System estimates earthquake magnitude within a short time of a few seconds to several tens of seconds, based on which the system provides advance announcements of the estimated seismic intensities; however, when a major earthquake occurs, the Research topic: Improving the prediction MEXT (NIED) accuracy of earthquake intensities and the like 1) KiK-NET data transmission destruction of the earthquake source 1) Responses to multiple 2) Responses to expanding focal Transmitting realtime data simultaneous earthquakes regions observed by NIED strongmotion seismograph Similar Seismic - Developing data Data fault continues for a long time, which waveforms networks (KiK-NET) intensity processing provision 5 upper? methods for Observation data used aftershocks, for the Earthquake earthquake Early Warning System makes it impossible to accurately swarm activities increased by and sequential integrating data from earthquakes seismographs of Hi- NET and JMA understand the magnitude in a short Seismic - Developing data intensity 4? processing 2) Research to advance and methods that Lapse time (sec.) Research speed up warnings issued by simultaneously collaboration the Earthquake Early Warning time. 2) When several earthquakes respond to Trends of seismic intensities at 3 System through effective use expansions of the locations in Ibaraki Pref. for the Off the of KiK-NET data fault plane PacificCoast oftohokuearthquake Collaborative research "Study on the application of occur in quick succession, the system strong-motion observation data to the Earthquake Early Warning System" - JMA may process the multiple earthquakes - NIED as a single one; it may not make appropriate announcements. Overall Framework for Efforts to Improve the Prediction Accuracy of Intensity and Other Factors of Earthquakes In light of these circumstances, the Courtesy of JMA Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) Seismic intensity 1 A method of generating electrical power by using steam produced through heat exchange with a medium that has a lower boiling point than water (a mixture of water and ammonia) to drive a turbine. 66

7 Recovery and Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake through Science and Technology has made efforts to improve the system by reviewing the judgment criteria for multiple earthquakes. The Recovery and Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Meteorological Feature1 Research Institute is leading the development of a method that predicts the range and Earthquake through Science and Technology amplitude of seismic motion propagation within a few seconds to tens of seconds after the start of the motion, In this based special on feature, the seismic we summarize motion observed the situation within a of certain recovery time and period reconstruction when an earthquake from the occurs. Great East The study Japan Earthquake concluded that (GEJE), this prediction including method the efforts can of keep the errors Japanese of government. predicted seismic We also intensity introduce within the one process unit on of the tackling Japanese the intensity challenges scale of the and recovery can reduce and the reconstruction number of earthquakes through science that are and not technology, predicted to in one-third accordance in with an area the where basic there guidelines are sufficient for reconstruction observation 1 sites. pursuant to the Basic Act on Reconstruction in Response In the to future, the Great the East system Japan will Earthquake utilize the (Act observation No. 76 of data 2011). obtained from a large-depth seismometer of the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED) and an ocean-bottom seismometer (DONET 1 The 1 ) Current of the Japan Situation Agency for of Marine-Earth Recovery and Science Reconstruction and Technology to from issue the early Great warnings East of earthquakes Japan more Earthquake rapidly and and accurately the Efforts and thus to of contribute the Japanese to the prevention Government and mitigation of seismic damage. (1) Support for disaster victims 2) Evacuees Efforts for in afflicted the development regions numbered of disaster approximately rescue technology 470,000 2 immediately after the earthquake, but that In number the GEJE, has there decreased were to many 260,000 cases 3 where (as of March water and 13, disaster 2014). Approximately debris 100,000 have been living in prevented emergency firefighters temporary from housing quickly 4 (as accessing of March fires 2014). and rescue sites. In Regarding response support to these for circumstances, disaster victims, the Ministry victims have of Internal been monitored Affairs so that support can be giving to and them Communications when necessary, and (MIC) mental developed and other prototypes care has been of provided. firefighting Progress is being made in improving vehicles infrastructure FY2012 and networking after carrying among care out providers, basic research toward on incorporating the community-wide care into requirements medical and nursing of such services. vehicles Progress for fire-fighting, has also been rescue made work in establishing and subsidies for the relocation of ambulance communities transport to areas in of areas higher surrounded elevation, by the tsunami promotion disaster of house debris. reconstruction Prototypes of and firefighting the provision vehicles of Courtesy of the National Research Also, support the for MIC the return is experimentally of residents who producing evacuated an aerial due to monitoring the accident at the Institute Fukushima of Fire and Daiichi Disaster Nuclear system Power Station that uses of a helicopter Tokyo Electric drone. Power Company (TEPCO). Other programs support infrastructure enhancement The MIC is and directing industrial its efforts recovery toward from the practical accident (Refer application to Feature of these 1-1 prototypes (2), (3) and in (4)). FY2018, which are expected to save many lives by speeding up rescue activities at disaster sites. (2) Regional development 3) With Efforts respect pertaining to the recovery to nondestructive of infrastructure, structural utilities diagnosis such as electricity and gas had mostly recovered by It the was middle pointed of out FY2011. that, in addition The recovery to buildings of that public were infrastructure, partially or completely including destroyed traffic networks in the GEJE, and there waterworks, are many had buildings also been that nearly suffered completed. damage which The cannot restoration be recognized rate of directly by appearance. administered However, national since structural highways 5 diagnosis in Iwate, Miyagi is done and mainly Fukushima by expert (hereinafter: visual inspection, the three it affected takes a lot prefectures) of time to was diagnose 99% as all of the buildings. end of March Therefore, 2014, and it the is required railway restoration that a technique rate was that 90% facilitates as of April the 6, rapid diagnosis of structural deterioration By of the end will of be March established. 2014, Iwate Prefecture and Miyagi Prefecture had completed the disposal of disaster In light waste. of the In above, contrast, the National in Fukushima Institute Prefecture, of Information 74% of and the Communications disaster waste had Technology been disposed (NICT), (as of in collaboration the end of March with 2014), Tohoku excluding University, the has region engaged, with since contaminated FY2011, in waste the development control. Fukushima of a tool is that making can diagnose continuous damage efforts to the complete inside the of walls disposal of of buildings disaster or waste the like as early by utilizing as possible. electromagnetic waves. The NICT Work and has Tohoku started University on house have reconstruction already selected and the the most relocation effective of frequency communities of electromagnetic to areas of higher wave, and they completed a prototype in March They will be conducting verification tests towards practically applying this technique by FY The Basic Guidelines for Reconstruction in Response to the Great East Japan Earthquake (determined by the Reconstruction Headquarters in Response to the This Great diagnostic East Japan Earthquake method on July will 29, make 2011) it possible to efficiently and reliably perform diagnoses of buildings 2 Six prefectures: Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki and Tochigi (as of March 14, 2011) ranging from large-scale structures to conventional houses. The method is expected to enable the early 3 The number of people residing in shelters (public halls, schools), inns/hotels, residences (public/temporary/private housing, hospitals) and elsewhere (relative s/acquaintance s housing) throughout Japan 4 Seven prefectures: Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Chiba, and Nagano 15 Dense National Oceanfloor Highways Network 4, 6 and System 45, which for run Earthquakes through the and three Tsunamis affected prefectures 71 7

8 identification of structures that are unsound despite being in use and to contribute to the creation of disaster-resilient cities. Schematics of visualization and analysis of the internal structure and surface conditions of building materials by means of various electromagnetic waves Courtesy of NICT 4) Efforts toward preventing the occurrence of oil tank damage caused by tsunamis The GEJE damaged oil tanks so severely that oil and other hazardous materials spilled from the tanks. The earthquake also marked the first tsunami-generated fire at a petrochemical complex in Japan. To prevent oil-spill-induced fires and the spread of damage, including marine pollution, and to ensure the rapid distribution of oil to affected areas, it is necessary to investigate the causes of the damage and to make efforts toward damage prevention in the A devastated petrochemical future. complex Courtesy of the National Research Research and investigations by the MIC on the damage Institute of Fire and Disaster mechanism of oil tanks found that tsunami inundation depths exceeding 3 m cause damage to piping and that tsunami inundation depths exceeding 5 m cause damage to the tanks themselves. Toward damage prevention, the MIC is advancing the development of a simulator to predict and estimate the liquid surface oscillation (sloshing) of oil tanks, which is a major factor in oil spills and fires. In the future, the MIC will make further efforts to utilize the observation data obtained from a strong-motion seismometer installed at each petrochemical complex in sloshing simulations. Further contributions to disaster mitigation are also expected to be realized by the design of dangerous large-scale facilities, the drafting of land use plans for industrial complex areas and the design of evacuation plans for disaster prevention, based on damage mechanism analyses and sloshing simulations. 5) Efforts for liquefaction prevention In the GEJE, severe liquefaction occurred not only in the severely affected regions, but also in coastal areas of Chiba Prefecture. In taking post-disaster reconstruction measures, it was pointed out that the occurrence of such severe liquefaction was attributable to the fact that technologies had not been established for liquefaction countermeasures in built-up areas. To solve this problem, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) examined the effectiveness of new technologies for liquefaction countermeasures. These include a groundwater level lowering method, in which underground drainpipes discharge groundwater to prevent liquefaction, and an underground grid diaphragm method, in which grid-shaped cement diaphragm walls are installed to 88

9 Recovery and Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake through Science and Technology contain liquefaction-prone ground. They performed Recovery and Reconstruction from the Great East Japan verification Feature1 experiments and numerical calculations. Earthquake through Science and Technology The MLIT then compiled the data on the effectiveness of In these this countermeasures special feature, we in summarize a brief assessment the situation of recovery and reconstruction from the Great East sheet Japan and Earthquake published (GEJE), it. including the efforts of the Japanese government. We also introduce the process of Designing tackling the and challenges constructing of the road recovery areas and and reconstruction through science and technology, in Schematics of residential accordance with areas the systematically basic guidelines by using for reconstruction the the groundwater 1 pursuant level to the lowering Basic method Act on Reconstruction (left); in aforementioned Response to the Great two East methods Japan is Earthquake expected to (Act lower No. the 76 of underground 2011). grid diaphragm wall method (right) the costs of liquefaction countermeasures. Courtesy of National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management 1 The Current Situation of Recovery and Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Efforts of the Japanese Government (1) Support for disaster victims (2) Evacuees Efforts in for afflicted the restoration regions numbered of everyday approximately life and 470,000 economic 2 immediately activities after in regions the earthquake, but 1) that Efforts number to has reconstruct decreased to affected 260,000 3 regions (as of March by promoting 13, 2014). renewable Approximately energy 100,000 industry have been living in emergency Reconstruction temporary in the housing affected 4 (as areas of March must 2014). enhance industry in a way that will lead to development greater Regarding than that support before for the disaster earthquake, victims, instead victims of merely have been affording monitored recovery so that from support the earthquake can be giving damage. to Toward them when the necessary, creation of and a representative mental and other industry care has that been will provided. serve as a Progress pillar of reconstruction, is being made in MEXT improving and AIST infrastructure are making and efforts networking to support among local care businesses providers, related toward incorporating renewable energy community-wide and to develop care human into resources. medical and Also, nursing they are services. leading Progress the world has in also research been made on renewable in establishing energy. subsidies for the relocation of communities to areas of higher elevation, the promotion of house reconstruction and the provision of (i) support R&D for on renewable the return energy of residents at the Fukushima who evacuated Renewable due to the Energy accident Institute at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). Other programs support infrastructure enhancement and industrial recovery from the accident (Refer to -1 (2), (3) and (4)). Local universities/collag Local es of technology businesses (2) Regional Using development universities and colleges Performance evaluations of products of technology as research bases using the test fields With respect for the to development the recovery of human of infrastructure, utilities such as electricity and gas had mostly recovered resources for industry University by the middle of FY2011. The recovery of public infrastructure, including traffic networks and Fukushima Base Creating new renewable waterworks, had also been nearly completed. The restoration rate of energy directly industries administered national highways 5 University Inviting in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima (hereinafter: Private the three affected prefectures) was 99% as of the companies Private Colleges of Local network companies in technology other regions end of March 2014, and the railway restoration rate was 90% as of April 6, Municipalities Public Inviting research institutions By of the end of March 2014, Iwate Prefecture and Miyagi Prefecture had completed the disposal of Roles of the base Public research in disaster waste. In contrast, Private in Fukushima companies Prefecture, other prefectures 74% of the Promoting disaster large-scale waste collaborative had been research disposed (as of Sharing the core infrastructure AIST Tsukuba, other regions Installing open-space labs the end of March 2014), excluding the region with contaminated waste control. Fukushima is making Accumulating human resources Wide-area network continuous efforts to complete the disposal of disaster waste as early as possible. Work has started Overview on house of the reconstruction center for renewable and the energy relocation research of in communities Fukushima to areas of higher Courtesy of METI AIST established the Fukushima Renewable Energy Institute in Fukushima Prefecture in April 2014 for research 1 The Basic on Guidelines renewable for Reconstruction energy. in Response to the Great East Japan Earthquake (determined by the Reconstruction Headquarters in Response to the Great East Japan Earthquake on July 29, 2011) 2 Toward Six prefectures: the further Aomori, Iwate, introduction Miyagi, Fukushima, of Ibaraki renewable and Tochigi energy, (as of March the 14, institute 2011) is engaged in the production of 3 The number of people residing in shelters (public halls, schools), inns/hotels, residences (public/temporary/private housing, hospitals) and elsewhere hydrogen (relative s/acquaintance s carriers, the housing) development throughout Japan of high-efficiency wind power technology, the formulation of a 4 Seven prefectures: Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Chiba, and Nagano potential 5 National map Highways for ground 4, 6 and 45, which thermal run through power the and three affected more. prefectures In addition, the institute is making efforts to cultivate 19

10 highly skilled resources will be to able toproject play active roles in the local renewable energy industry1 elevation. Of human the districts that who are subject the for collective relocation for disaster mitigation through collaborative research utilizing research equipment at the in collaboration with local (two districts in Ibaraki Prefecture, and 337 districts elsewhere thatinstitute are subject to a land restructuring 2, construction has already started in 90% of the districts universities, and otherroadmap) organizations. project in thetechnical residencecolleges reconstruction the institute technology produced by andalso, has been completedis inconducting 15% of theperformance districts (as evaluations of the end on of March 2014).seeds The three affected renewable-energy-related enterprises the three affected prefectures by utilizing cutting-edge knowledge, prefectures announced that they needinapproximately 22,000 reconstructed houses, 2,241 of which have through which the(asinstitute is also local private companies toward the market introduction of been constructed of the end of supporting November 2013). products in which their technology seeds are utilized. In addition, regarding medical facilities, approximately 93% (171 hospitals) of hospitals that had limited In FY2013, so could better fulfill its roles, the institute started to develop base for the hospitalization orthat thatthe hadinstitute no capability to admit patients immediately after the disaster havearecovered in testing, and research of a large-scale power conditioner (power conversion equipment). a all threeevaluation of the affected prefectures. As for school facilities, approximately 96% (2,210 schools) Such of the facility necessary for increasing the introduction of Sharing renewable Thefordevelopment the research schoolsisthat had applied for the National Treasury's of energy. Expenses Recovery ofofpublic School center willdamaged make it possible to issue certifications for power in Japan and to develop Facilities by Disaster haveproduct completed their recovery (as of conditioners the end of March 2014). new methods of experimentation and evaluation that can be used at the research center with an eye to future international (3) Industry and employment Nanowire solar cells standardization. 1) Industry Those efforts are being made with a view to enhancing competitiveness of ourindustries, country inaccording overseasto the estimated production value of plants in As for thethe mining and manufacturing Silicone solar cells (super-high-quality silicone markets. levels. tsunami-inundated regions3 (59 plants), their production has mostly recovered to pre-earthquake solar cells) Furthermore, MEXTof has made efforts to systematically However, some types business need more time for recovery. With respect to cash flow support, advance R&D, from basic research to practical application, approximately 270,000 loans have been provided (5.6 trillionbyyen in total), and approximately 100,000 cases by combining these two types of solar cells conducting R&D on super-high-efficiency solar The cellsgreat on the have been guaranteed (2.2 trillion yen in total). need High for efficiency financing has been addressed by this premises of of thethe institute. support (as end of February 2014). Outline of a super-high-efficiency solar cell Courtesy of MEXT As for agriculture, tsunami-affected farmland accounts for approximately 21,000 ha4, and about 63% of the affected farmland (approximately 13,000 ha, as of December 2013), is ready to resume farming. (ii) Research and development related to renewable energy to be put into practical use in the affected As for the fisheries industry, about 45% of all the affected fishing ports have restored their unloading regions quays (143 of 319 fishing ports, as of the of February 2014), and the mainsince fish markets the three Considering the cultural background andend regional characteristics of Tohoku, FY2012 in MEXT has 5 of their pre-disaster catch. affected prefectures have recovered to about 70% been supporting R&D on three types of renewable energy that will contribute to the development of the As forregion tourism, theenvironmentally number of people staying area at accommodations mainly used by touristsand in the three affected as an advanced through the future commercialization practical 6 affected prefectures has decreased to 82% of the pre-earthquake figure. Tourism in the three affected application of those energies. prefectures remains below the nationalonlevel. Specifically, a consortium centered Tohoku In response to issues facing these industries, University implemented the following R&D withthe following measures have been taken: promoting the consolidation farmland plots, and promoting restarts of fish processing facilities and other small and the support of of local governments businesses: mid-sized through including 1) R&D onbusinesses ocean energy fromsupport, wave power and financing, and assisting business restarts, with special focuscurrents on smallonand businesses, addressing their double loan problem (the problem of tidal the mid-sized Sanriku Coast, 2) R&Dbythat disaster victims who had outstanding business debts but were obliged to take out new loans because the uses microalgae to integrate oil (hydrocarbon) assets whichinto weresewage mortgaged for theand loans been destroyed or could not be used any longer because of production treatment 3) had R&D Rendering of an ocean energy generation facility (left) and the disaster). aiming at the creation of disaster-resilient towns and the efficient use of local renewable energy by 1 Microalgae producing oil (right) Courtesy of MEXT A project established based on The Act Concerning Special Financial Support for Promoting Group Relocation for Disaster Mitigation (Act No. 132 of 1972) for utilizing electric vehicles. promoting collective relocation of residents in an uninhabitable zone in the affect areas 2 A roadmap has been drafted, so that disaster victims can have some idea of when they will be able to move in. The roadmap summarizes the status of the development of residential land for private housing and disaster public housing to be supplied through land restructuring plans carried out as a part of the project to promote collective relocation for disaster mitigation. 3 R&D Tsunami-affected regions of the following sixin prefectures: Iwate,just Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki and Chiba on the projects described (i) andaomori, (ii) has started; however, their results are expected to 4 Tsunami-affected farmland of the following six prefectures: Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki and Chiba 5 Catch from 2013 to January 2014 as a economic share of that from March 2010 to February contribute tofebruary the reconstruction and development of the 2011 affected regions. 6 Down 17.5% from the same month in 2010, as of December

11 Recovery and Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake through Science and Technology 2) Efforts for supporting businesses in affected regions by utilizing technology seeds of Feature1 research institutions Recovery and Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake through Science and Technology The Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) has been implementing the Program for Revitalization Promotion In this special since feature, FY2012. we In summarize the program, the matching situation of planners recovery ( connoisseurs ) and reconstruction are from deployed the Great in affected East regions Japan Earthquake to determine (GEJE), the needs including of businesses the efforts in of affected the Japanese regions government. and to introduce We also technologies introduce the that process match their of tackling needs from the technologies challenges of possessed the recovery by universities and reconstruction and the like in through the country. science Through and technology, this program, in they accordance had successfully with the basic introduced guidelines 245 for technologies reconstruction matching 1 pursuant their to needs the by Basic the Act end on of Reconstruction FY2013. The in following Response to are the some Great examples East Japan of Earthquake matching. (Act No. 76 of 2011). Aizu Jidori free-range chickens have been given the Fukushima 1 The Current Ippin certification Situation for of outstanding Recovery products and Reconstruction of from the Great East Fukushima Japan Prefecture. Earthquake However, and after the the Efforts TEPCO of Fukushima the Japanese Aizu Jidori Government pure-line chicken White Plymouth Rock Maintained and raised by nuclear (1) Support power for station disaster accident, victims their consumption dropped the Poultry Branch of the Livestock and Evacuees production in afflicted declined, regions and the numbered production approximately base weakened. 470,000 2 Research Center, Fukushima immediately Agricultural after the earthquake, but Additionally, that number has it takes decreased twice to as 260,000 long to 3 Technology Center Large Aizu Jidori Rhode Island Red (as raise of March Aizu free-range 13, 2014). Approximately 100,000 have been living in chickens emergency to temporary market compared housingto 4 ordinary (as of March chickens, 2014). which also Production by Aizujidori Net made Regarding it difficult support to increase for disaster the production victims, quantity. victims have been monitored so Co., that Ltd. support can be giving to them The when National necessary, Agriculture and mental and Food and other Research care Organization has been provided. Progress is Commercial being made poultry: in Aizu improving Jidori chicken (NARO), infrastructure Fukushima and networking Prefecture and among local care businesses providers, have toward been incorporating community-wide care into making medical and efforts nursing to improve services. the Progress growth has of also chickens been made toward in establishing subsidies for the relocation of Bleeding system of Aizu Jidori chickens shortening communities the to rearing areas of period higher and elevation, improving the feeding promotion efficiency. of house reconstruction Courtesy and of the JST provision of support Specifically, for the since return the of growth residents of who Aizu evacuated Jidori chickens due to the is accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear determined Power Station by the of growth Tokyo Electric of the parents, Power a Company technique (TEPCO). for selecting Other breed programs of parent support chickens infrastructure possessed by enhancement NARO and and the industrial genetic information recovery from on growth the accident possessed (Refer by to the Feature Fukushima 1-1 (2), Agricultural (3) and (4)). Technology Center were utilized toward improving the parent chickens, and the effect of the improvement was demonstrated (2) Regional by development local private companies. It With is expected respect that to the increasing recovery the of production infrastructure, efficiency utilities of Aizu such Jidori as electricity chickens and and gas broadly had mostly advertising recovered the products by the middle in various of FY2011. areas will The lead recovery to the increase of public in consumption infrastructure, and including the revitalization traffic networks of the local and economy. waterworks, had also been nearly completed. The restoration rate of directly administered national highways 5 in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima (hereinafter: the three affected prefectures) was 99% as of the end In of Miyagi March Prefecture, 2014, and the the development railway restoration of a new rate ski was 90% as of April 6, wax By has of the been end conducted. of March Ski 2014, wax Iwate is produced Prefecture by and Miyagi Prefecture had completed the disposal of adding disaster various waste. In compounds contrast, in to Fukushima paraffin, Prefecture, the main 74% of the disaster waste Ski had sliding surface been disposed (as of constituent the end of March of ski 2014), wax. It excluding is a major the factor region in with the contaminated waste control. Fukushima is making Amount of wax Skid coefficient abraded Sliding surface outcome continuous of efforts a race. to complete However, the there disposal no of specific disaster waste as early as possible. guideline Work has for the started selection house of additives. reconstruction and the relocation of communities to areas of higher Sliding time Wax Tohoku University and local private companies are Wax cooperating to clarify the friction phenomenon 1 The Basic Guidelines for Reconstruction in Response to the Great East Japan Earthquake (determined by the Reconstruction Headquarters in Response to the Sliding between Great the East Japan ski surface Earthquake and on July the 29, 2011) snow surface, water Before surface After Snow surface 2 Six prefectures: Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki and Tochigi (as of March 14, 2011) repellency 3 The number and of the people penetration residing in shelters of (public wax halls, into schools), the inns/hotels, ski residences (public/temporary/private housing, hospitals) and elsewhere Outline of the friction phenomenon between the ski (relative s/acquaintance s housing) throughout Japan surface 4 Seven by prefectures: combining Iwate, a Miyagi, simulation Fukushima, technique Ibaraki, Tochigi, of Chiba, Tohoku and Nagano surface and the snow surface 5 National Highways 4, 6 and 45, which run through the three affected prefectures Courtesy of JST University and the evaluation and measuring Skid coefficient Amount of wax abraded 11 1

12 techniques of local businesses. They are developing a high-performance wax that far exceeds conventional ones by adding the optimal additives, with the aim of having their wax used by Japanese ski teams in the Olympics. In Iwate Prefecture, Kochi University of Technology, Iwate Prefecture, Iwate University and local businesses are conducting collaborative research toward applying a slurry ice production technique to fish preservation and to transportation methods that can maintain fish freshness without freezing. Some fish can currently be eaten only near the production area, because they deteriorate rapidly. The new technique will make it possible to ship these fish without freshness deterioration. This will enable a certain amount of fish to be supplied stably, regardless of the fishing conditions. This is expected to lead to the creation of a new brand and to the revitalization of the local fishing industry. Temperature () seawater + crushed ice 1 wt% slurry ice 3.5 wt% slurry ice Time (h) Time-series variations in the center temperature of a bonito in 3.5% slurry ice, 1% slurry ice and brackish ice Courtesy of JST These efforts are expected to lead to the utilization of technology seeds of research institutions, to the creation of new employment at private companies in affected regions and to the reconstruction of these regions. (3) Efforts for recovery from the nuclear power disaster 1) Efforts for reducing radioactive substances in farmland For the reconstruction of the affected regions, including Fukushima Prefecture, the recovery of agriculture, which suffered tremendous damage from the TEPCO Fukushima nuclear power station accident, is essential. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has been engaging in the development and verification of decontamination techniques for farmland and in R&D for reducing the soil-to-plant transfer of radioactive substances. (i) Efforts for removing radioactive substances from agricultural soil Since the TEPCO Fukushima nuclear power station accident, MAFF has been engaging in the development of basic decontamination techniques for farmland and the development of machinery for decontamination work. In FY2012, MAFF developed an effective and efficient decontamination technique that enables decontamination to be tailored to the farmland type (rice paddy, upland field and pasture) and the site conditions. With regard to decontamination techniques for rice paddies and upland fields, these techniques were examined during decontamination in Iitate Village and Kawamata Town in Fukushima Prefecture. The effectiveness was confirmed. For example, it was found that by scraping away the topsoil (about 5 cm), the radiocesium level in the plow layer (soil up to 15 cm in Machine for scraping farmland topsoil Courtesy of NARO 12

13 Recovery and Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake through Science and Technology depth) could be reduced by 80 to 90%, and the air dose rate at 1 m above ground could be reduced by Recovery and Reconstruction from the Great East Japan about Feature1 60 to 80%. Earthquake through Science and Technology MAFF summarized these demonstration results, based on which MAFF formulated and published a technical In this manual special feature, on farmland we summarize decontamination the situation measures. of recovery and reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE), including the efforts of the Japanese government. We also introduce the process (ii) of Research tackling and the study challenges on the of reduction the recovery of soil-to-plant and reconstruction transfer of radioactive through science substances and technology, in accordance To determine with the soil basic factors guidelines that are for associated reconstruction with 1 increases pursuant in to the radiocesium Basic Act on level Reconstruction of crops, the in Cabinet Response Office to the Great and MAFF East Japan conducted Earthquake (Act 0.40 No. 76 of 2011). investigations to determine the main 0.30 factors 1 The promoting Current the Situation intake of of Recovery and Reconstruction from the Great East radioactive Japan substances Earthquake by crops and such as the Efforts 0.20 of the Japanese Government rice, (1) Support soybeans, for buckwheat disaster and victims pasture 0.10 grass, Evacuees and they in afflicted developed regions measures. numbered approximately 470,000 2 immediately after the earthquake, but To that suppress number radiocesium has decreased absorption, to 260,000 3 (as of 0.00March 13, 2014). Approximately 100,000 have been living in it emergency was found temporary effective to housing increase 4 the (as of March 2014). content of exchangeable potassium 1 Concentration 土壌の交換性カリ含量 of exchangeable potassium (mg K 2O/100g) in soil (mg k 2 o/100 g) Regarding support for disaster to victims, victims have been monitored so that support can be giving to Relationship between exchangeable potassium content and soil-to-soybean a them certain when level necessary, by potassium and mental fertilizer and transfer other care factor has been provided. Progress is being made in improving The values of the content of exchangeable potassium in soil were obtained after cultivation. application. infrastructure It and was networking also found among that care providers, toward incorporating community-wide care into Courtesy of MAFF grass medical growing and nursing on pasture services. with Progress a low has also been made in establishing subsidies for the relocation of potassium communities concentration to areas of is higher likely elevation, to the promotion of house reconstruction and the provision of have support high for levels the of return radiocesium. of residents who evacuated due to the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power In addition, Station it of was Tokyo found Electric possible Power to Company (TEPCO). Other programs support infrastructure Pre-hulling prevent enhancement the contamination and industrial in recovery brown rice from the accident (Refer to -1 (2), (3) and (4)). that can occur when a contaminated After discharging rice hulls used for cleaning the huller, huller is used by Pre-hulling 2 the radiocesium concentration of the hulled rice reduced to one-tenth the initial value. (2) Regional development the huller Standard: 100 Bq/kg with With uncontaminated respect to the unhulled recovery rice. of infrastructure, utilities such as electricity and gas had mostly recovered by the middle of FY2011. The recovery of public infrastructure, including traffic networks and waterworks, Knowledge had obtained also been from nearly completed. the The restoration rate of directly administered national above-mentioned highways 5 in Iwate, R&D Miyagi and on Fukushima actual (hereinafter: the three affected prefectures) was 99% as of the Output of hulled, unpolished rice (kg) decontamination end of March 2014, and and crop the production railway restoration is rate was 90% as of April 6, Change in radiocesium level of brown rice by pre-hulling expected By of the to contribute end of March to the 2014, recovery Iwate Prefecture and Miyagi Prefecture Courtesy of MAFF had completed the disposal of of disaster agriculture waste. In in contrast, the affected in Fukushima regions, Prefecture, 74% of the disaster waste had been disposed (as of which the end suffered of March extensively 2014), excluding damage from the the region TEPCO with Fukushima contaminated nuclear waste power control. station Fukushima accident. is making continuous efforts to complete the disposal of disaster waste as early as possible. Work has started on house reconstruction and the relocation of communities to areas of higher Soil-to-plant 移行係数 transfer factor Radiocesium concentration (Bq/kg) 1 The Basic Guidelines for Reconstruction in Response to the Great East Japan Earthquake (determined by the Reconstruction Headquarters in Response to the Great East Japan Earthquake on July 29, 2011) 2 Six prefectures: Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki and Tochigi (as of March 14, 2011) 3 The number of people residing in shelters (public halls, schools), inns/hotels, residences (public/temporary/private housing, hospitals) and elsewhere (relative s/acquaintance s housing) throughout Japan 14 Amount Seven prefectures: of potassium Iwate, absorbable Miyagi, Fukushima, by plants Ibaraki, Tochigi, Chiba, and Nagano 25 Here, National " Pre-hulling Highways " 4, means 6 and removing 45, which radioactive run through substances the three affected on the inside prefectures of the huller by using uncontaminated unhulled rice in advance. 13 1

14 2) Efforts at securing the confidence of consumers and the safety of marine products by conducting investigations of radioactive substances in marine products In Fukushima Prefecture and Changes in radiocesium levels of greenlings landed at ports in Fukushima Prefecture its neighboring prefectures, 福島県沿岸におけるアイナメの放射性セシウム濃度の推移 (Bq/kg) 4000 On 2012 August 年 8 月 1, 12012, 日に25,800 greenlings Bq/kg with のアイナメを採取 radioactive cesium radiation tests are conducted concentrations of 25,800 Bq/kg were caught. 同日 同地点で採取された他魚種の最高値は260 Bq/kg The highest concentration for other fish species caught 同地点で前後の日に採取されたアイナメの最高値は1,350 Bq/kg about once a week, and when fish on the same day at the same location was 260 Bq/kg The highest concentration for greenlings caught on with a radioactive level close to July 31 and August 2, 2012 was 1,350 Bq/kg or exceeding the reference value 2000 are detected, necessary measures 1500 such as shipment restrictions 1000 and self-imposed control of 500 fishing are taken. The tests show /5/1 2011/8/9 2011/11/ /2/ /6/4 2012/9/12 that in the April June quarter of Changes in radiocesium levels in greenlings landed at ports on 2011, which is just after the the Fukushima Prefecture coast Courtesy of the Fisheries Agency TEPCO Fukushima nuclear power station accident, the percentage of samples exceeding the reference value was as high as 53.0%. However, that declined to 1.7% in the January March quarter of In contrast, in August 2012, greenlings containing radioactive cesium at the highest concentration (25,800 Bq/kg), several hundred times as high as that of other samples, were collected off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture, about 20 km from the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The Cabinet Office and the Fisheries Agency conducted a study to establish a technique for analyzing radioactive substances found in otoliths extracted from heavily contaminated fishes in FY2012, to determine the period when they were contaminated and to understand the history of their habitat and the like. An otolith Courtesy of Fisheries Research It was found that the aforementioned greenlings were most likely to Agency be the ones that were contaminated to the degree of 400,000 to 500,000 Bq/kg in the port and harbor of the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station or in nearby waters by the extremely concentrated polluted water released from the power station during the spring and summer of 2011 and that then moved to waters about 20 km from the harbor of the power station, during which movement their radiocesium level fell. At the same time, it was also proven effective to install migration-prevention nets at the harbor entrance, which was implemented by TEPCO, and to get rid of fishes and the like inhabiting the harbor of the power station, based on requests from fishermen. It is expected that providing the knowledge gained from the outcomes of this study and continuously conducting radiation tests will help to secure the safety of marine products and the confidence of consumers. 1 In the year after the accident, the percentage of samples exceeding the reference value halved, and even though, since April 2012, the research has focused on the types of fish in which not less than 50 Bq/kg of radioactive cesium was detected after the accident, the percentage of samples exceeding the reference level has continued to decrease. In prefectures other than Fukushima, the percentage of samples exceeding the reference value gradually decreased, and since the October December quarter of 2012, the percentage has remained below 1%. 14

15 Recovery and Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake through Science and Technology 3) Implementation of monitoring based on the comprehensive monitoring plan Feature1 Recovery and Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake through Science and Technology Radioactive substances were released into the environment in large amounts from the accident at the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. For this reason, relevant ministries, Fukushima Prefecture In this special and other feature, organizations we summarize are the cooperatively situation of conducting recovery and radiation reconstruction monitoring from pertaining the Great to East the accident Japan Earthquake at the TEPCO (GEJE), Fukushima including Daiichi the efforts Nuclear of the Power Japanese Station government. based on We the also Comprehensive introduce the Monitoring process Plan of tackling 1, for the the purpose challenges of understanding of the recovery the distribution and reconstruction of radioactive through substances science around and residential technology, areas in for accordance the medium with the and basic long guidelines term and for of understanding reconstruction 1 the pursuant dispersion to the and Basic deposition Act on Reconstruction of radioactive in substances Response to the released Great into East the Japan environment. Earthquake (Act No. 76 of 2011). Specifically, various kinds of monitoring have been conducted, such as the measurement of air doses at monitoring 1 The Current posts 2, nuclide-based Situation analyses of Recovery of radioactive and substances Reconstruction in soil, analyses from of radioactive the Great substances East Japan Earthquake and the Efforts of the Japanese Government in the water of rivers and of the sea and soil, and analyses of radioactive substances in food and tap water. (1) The Support monitoring for disaster results are victims immediately available on their website. Evacuees in afflicted regions numbered approximately 470,000 2 immediately after the earthquake, but that number has decreased to 260,000 3 (as of March 13, 2014). Approximately * Monitoring implementation 100,000 system of have each ministry been in accordance living with in the Main monitoring in accordance with the Comprehensive Monitoring Plan (modified on April 1, 2013) Comprehensive Monitoring Plan emergency temporary housing 4 Monitoring of the environment in general throughout (as Japan of (Nuclear March Regulation Authority, 2014). Monitoring of seaports, airports, parks, sewage etc. (MLIT, Fukushima Prefecture, local authorities relevant prefectural authorities) and others) - Concentration measurement of radioactive substances in sewage sludge - Real-time publication of measurement results of air dose rate at monitoring posts in each prefecture - Measurement of air dose rate at seaports, airports, urban parks etc. -Regarding Monthly concentration support measurement of radioactive for disaster substances for precipitation victims, composition victims (dust in rain have or been monitored so that support can be giving to the air), once three months for clean water (at the faucet) to the same accuracy of analysis as the level Monitoring of waste in water environment, natural parks etc. (MOE, Fukushima Prefecture, research before the accident municipalities, TEPCO and others) them - Aerial when monitoring necessary, in the area of a relatively-high and level mental of deposition and amount of other radioactive care substances has in the been provided. Progress is being made in improving prefectures adjacent to Fukushima Prefecture environment samples from rivers, lakes, marshes, water sources, ground waters and coasts in Fukushima Prefecture and neighboring prefectures - Analysis of concentration measurement of radioactive substance in wild plants and animals infrastructure Monitoring of the environment and networking general throughout among Fukushima Prefecture care providers, (Nuclear - toward Concentration measurement incorporating of radioactive substances community-wide in influent water from refuse incineration care plants into and Regulation Authority, Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters, Fukushima Prefecture, TEPCO and others) measurement of air dose rate on the boundary zones according to the Act on Special Measures in relation to - Real-time publication of measurement results of air dose rate at portable monitoring posts placed in Measures for Environmental Pollution by Radioactive Materials medical Fukushima and Prefecture nursing and the prefectures services. adjacent to Fukushima Progress Prefecture. has also been made in establishing subsidies for the relocation of Monitoring of farm soil, forests and pasture (MAFF, Forestry Agency, relevant prefectural authorities - Continuous measurement of air dose rate, airborne dust etc. around the NPP Prefecture) - Check of distribution of air dose rate and deposition situations of various radioactive substances on the - Understanding of alteration in concentration of radioactive substances and clarification of the transfer communities ground as well as survey to of radioactive areas substances of higher transfer in the elevation, land areas the promotion characteristics of house in Fukushima reconstruction Prefecture and neighboring prefectures and the provision of - Periodical aerial monitoring within 80 km of the NPP - Concentration measurement of radioactive substances in forest soil, branches, leaves, bark, forests wood and - Detailed monitoring of the evacuation order areas others in test areas in Fukushima Prefecture support for return of residents who evacuated due - to Concentration the accident measurement of radioactive at the substances Fukushima in pasture by prefectures Daiichi Nuclear - Concentration measurement of radioactive substances in reservoirs in Fukushima Prefecture. Monitoring in marine areas (Nuclear Regulation Authority, MLIT, MAFF, Japan Coast Guard, MOE, Monitoring of foods (MHLW, MAFF, Fisheries Agency, Fukushima Prefecture and relevant prefectural Power Fukushima Station Prefecture, TEPCO of and Tokyo others) Electric Power Company (TEPCO). Other programs support infrastructure - Concentration measurement of radioactive substances in marine water, soil and organisms in (1) marine authorities) areas adjacent to TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi NPS, (2) coastal areas, (3) offshore areas, (4) oceanic regions - Concentration measurement of radioactive substances in foods - Measurement of actual exposure dose due to ingestion of contaminated foods enhancement and (5) Tokyo Bay, centering and on industrial Fukushima Prefecture recovery and neighboring prefectures from the accident (Refer to -1 (2), (3) and (4)). Monitoring of schools and nursery centers (Nuclear Regulation Authority MEXT, MHLW and Fukushima Prefecture) - Real-time publication of measurement results of air dose rate at about 2,700 real-time dose measurement systems placed at schools in Fukushima Prefecture - Concentration measurement of radioactive substances in water in outdoor pools (2) Regional development - Check of radioactive substances concentration in school lunches - Concentration measurement of radioactive substances and measurement of air dose rate in water, sediment and Monitoring of tap water (MHLW, Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters and relevant prefectural authorities) - Concentration measurement of radioactive substances in pure water from purification plants or raw water from intake sources by prefectures and in tap water by water sources in Fukushima Prefecture * The results of each monitoring as shown above are collectively published via the portal site set up on the Nuclear Regulation Authority website. With respect to the recovery of infrastructure, utilities such as electricity and gas had mostly recovered by Implementation the middle of system FY2011. of each The ministry recovery and agency of public for monitoring infrastructure, based on the including Comprehensive traffic Monitoring networks and Plan Courtesy of Nuclear Regulation Authority waterworks, had also been nearly completed. The restoration rate of directly administered national highways 5 in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima (hereinafter: the three affected prefectures) was 99% as of the end of March 2014, and the railway restoration rate was 90% as of April 6, ) Efforts at comprehending the distribution of radioactive substances By of the end of March 2014, Iwate Prefecture and Miyagi Prefecture had completed the disposal of Various telemetry techniques to determine the distribution of radioactive substances in areas of high disaster waste. In contrast, in Fukushima Prefecture, 74% of the disaster waste had been disposed (as of radiation doses have been developed. the end of March 2014), excluding the region with contaminated waste control. Fukushima is making MEXT and the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) are continuous efforts to complete the disposal of disaster waste as early as possible. developing a telemetry technique that can visualize radiation and Work has started on house reconstruction and the relocation of communities to areas of higher understand the distribution of radioactive substances from the air by using a Compton camera installed in an unmanned helicopter. In conventional 1 The Basic Guidelines methods, for Reconstruction some in Response errors to the Great occur East Japan when Earthquake telemetry (determined by Schematic the Reconstruction for understanding Headquarters Response the to the Great East Japan Earthquake on July 29, 2011) measurements 2 Six prefectures: are Aomori, conducted Iwate, Miyagi, from Fukushima, the Ibaraki air, due and Tochigi to the (as influence of March 14, 2011) of distribution of radioactive substances 3 The number of people residing in shelters (public halls, schools), inns/hotels, residences (public/temporary/private Courtesy housing, of hospitals) MEXT and elsewhere (relative s/acquaintance s housing) throughout Japan 14 Decided Seven prefectures: at the Monitoring Iwate, Miyagi, Coordination Fukushima, Meeting Ibaraki, in August Tochigi, 2011, Chiba, and and revised Nagano in March and April 2012 and April Apparatus National Highways that can continuously 4, 6 and 45, which measure run the through radiation the dose three in affected the airprefectures 15 1

16 radiation from forest slopes, which makes it difficult to create a detailed distribution map. For this reason, they have been developing a technique to measure the distribution of radiation only on the surface of the ground just below an unmanned helicopter by utilizing the features of a Compton camera, toward putting the technique to practical use by FY2015. This technique will make it possible for the time series change in the distribution of radioactive substances to be understood extensively and accurately. Therefore, the development of the technique is expected to contribute to the rapid provision of information to residents and local governments and to the evaluation of migration by radioactive substances in the environment. 5) Efforts for the stabilization and decommissioning of the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (i) The road and efforts toward decommissioning The Japanese government and TEPCO started to make efforts to stabilize and decommission the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station after dividing the period of time until the end of decommissioning into three phases and setting a goal for each phase based on the Mid- to Long-Term Roadmap. As to the start of removal of fuel from the spent fuel pool, which was the goal for the first phase, they successfully Removal of fuel from the spent achieved that goal by accelerating the original plan by one month and starting pool of Unit 4 the extraction of the spent fuel in Unit 4 in November Courtesy of TEPCO With regard to Unit 4, they have continued to work toward completing the removal of the fuel by around the end of FY2014. In addition, they are decontaminating the insides of buildings, inspecting leakage locations in the reactor containment vessels, removing disaster waste in the spent fuel pools and doing other activities toward commencing the removal of spent fuel and fuel debris 1 in Units 1 to 3. In addition, with regard to measures against contaminated Full view of a frozen soil wall and its cross section water, it is imperative to create a fundamental solution. Courtesy of Kajima Corporation In September 2013, the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters formulated the Basic Policy for the Contaminated Water Issue at the TEPCO s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station and determined to promote the steady implementation of the measures, in addition to strengthening systems, such as by establishing a council of ministers and promoting the thorough implementation of process control by the government. Moreover, in December 2013, the headquarters adopted the Additional Measures for Decommissioning and Contaminated Water Issues at TEPCO s Fukushima Daiichi NPS and determined to implement preventive and multi-tiered measures and to strengthen the system. In the light of these decisions, the measures against contaminated water are being implemented based on the following three guidelines: Remove the source of contamination, Keep water away from the source of contamination and Keep contaminated water from leaking. Specifically, with regard to measures for 1 Re-solidified fuel, cladding tubes and the like that had melted and re-solidified 16

17 Recovery and Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake through Science and Technology removing sources of contamination, preparations are made toward the operation of multi-nuclide removal Feature1 Recovery and Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake through Science and Technology equipment that generates less waste than existing equipment does. Also, with regard to measures for keeping water away from the sources of contamination, preparatory work is being done toward the construction In this special of land-side feature, we frozen-soil summarize diaphragm the situation walls of that recovery will enter and reconstruction service around from the spring the Great of East Moreover, Japan Earthquake with regard (GEJE), to measures including for the preventing efforts of the Japanese leakage government. of contaminated We also water, introduce the completion the process of soil of tackling improvement the on challenges the sea side of and the the recovery construction and reconstruction of cutoff walls through on the sea science side have and been technology, progressing. accordance Furthermore, with in the order basic to guidelines establish for a technical reconstruction basis 1 for pursuant the analysis to the and Basic research Act on Reconstruction of radioactive in substances Response to the and Great the East development Japan Earthquake of disaster-response (Act No. 76 of 2011). robots, the JAEA is taking the lead in the construction and operation of facilities for the development and verification of remote-control equipment and devices 1 The (mock-up Current facilities) Situation and the development of Recovery of facilities and for Reconstruction analyzing and studying from radioactive the Great substances. East Japan Earthquake and the Efforts of the Japanese Government Toward achieving the second-phase goal of commencing the removal of the fuel debris, the wisdom in Japan (1) Support and overseas for disaster are brought victims together so that the needed steps can be steadily taken, and further efforts are Evacuees made toward in afflicted improving regions the numbered labor environment approximately of workers 470,000 2 and immediately the establishment after the of earthquake, the Nuclear but Damage that number Compensation has decreased and to Decommissioning 260,000 3 (as of March Facilitation 13, 2014). Corporation. Approximately Thus, continuous 100,000 have efforts been are living being emergency temporary housing 4 (as of March 2014). Regarding support for disaster victims, victims have been monitored so that support can be giving to them when necessary, and mental and other care has been provided. Progress is being made in improving infrastructure and networking among care providers, toward incorporating community-wide care into medical and nursing services. Progress has also been made in establishing subsidies for the relocation of communities to areas of higher elevation, the promotion of house reconstruction and the provision of support for the return of residents who evacuated due to the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). Other programs support infrastructure enhancement and industrial recovery from the accident (Refer to -1 (2), (3) and (4)). undertaken toward the goal of complete abolition in 30 to 40 years. (ii) Research and development toward the abolition of the reactor facilities (2) Regional development Mid-and-Long-Term Roadmap towards the Decommissioning of With respect to the recovery TEPCO's of Fukushima infrastructure, Daiichi utilities Nuclear Power such as Station electricity Units and 1 to gas 4 had mostly recovered Courtesy of METI by the middle of FY2011. The recovery of public infrastructure, including traffic networks and waterworks, had also been nearly completed. The restoration rate of directly administered national highways 5 in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima (hereinafter: the three affected prefectures) was 99% as of the Since the abolition of the TEPCO Fukushima end of March 2014, and the railway restoration rate was 90% as of April 6, Daiichi Nuclear Power Station is expected to take a Fuel assembly By of the end of March 2014, Iwate Prefecture and Miyagi Prefecture had completed the disposal of long period of time and to involve unprecedented Fuel support disaster waste. In contrast, in Fukushima Prefecture, 74% plateof the disaster waste had been disposed (as of technical difficulties, technology research associations, Control rod the end of March 2014), excluding the region with guide contaminated pipe waste control. Fukushima is making the International Research Institute for Nuclear continuous efforts to complete the disposal of disaster waste as early as possible. Decommissioning, the JAEA, private companies and Work has started on house reconstruction and the relocation of communities to areas of higher other organizations cooperatively engaged in R&D Examples of analysis results of migration on the handling of fuel removed from the spent fuel behavior of molten fuel Courtesy of JAEA pool, 1 The preparations Basic Guidelines for Reconstruction the removal in Response of fuel to the debris Great East and Japan Earthquake (determined by the Reconstruction Headquarters in Response to the Great East Japan Earthquake on July 29, 2011) the processing and disposal of solid waste based on the Mid-and-Long-Term Roadmap. 2 Six prefectures: Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki and Tochigi (as of March 14, 2011) 3 The number of people residing in shelters (public halls, schools), inns/hotels, residences (public/temporary/private housing, hospitals) and elsewhere (relative s/acquaintance s housing) throughout Japan 4 Seven prefectures: Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Chiba, and Nagano 5 National Highways 4, 6 and 45, which run through the three affected prefectures 17 1

18 Specifically, the integrity evaluation 1 of spent fuel assemblies for evaluating the integrity related to the long-term storage of fuel assemblies that were affected by high temperature, seawater injection, the fall of rubble and the like have been done. Measures to prevent recriticality that consider the change in the shape of fuel debris and water amount due to the removal of fuel debris have been developed in order to prevent criticality at the time of the removal of such debris. Criticality control techniques for examining the criticality conditions by computational mechanical simulation have been developed. And accident progression analysis techniques for simply simulating and analyzing fuel assemblies in a pressure vessel, fuel support plates and control rod guide tubes have been developed, toward determining the migration behavior of molten fuel in a lower part of the core. It is expected that there will be a long way ahead of us toward the decommissioning of the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, in the midst of which this R&D has to be advanced rapidly and the obtained results have to be applied in the actual decommissioning work. (iii) Utilization of robots at nuclear disaster sites To understand the situation inside of reactor buildings where people have not been able to enter due to high radiation doses and rubble, disaster robots 2 that can obtain the data on radiation doses, images and the like started to be utilized at the site immediately after the accident. Robot for surveying high places (left) In addition, to promote the various efforts described in and Boat (right) Courtesy of TEPCO (i), the government and TEPCO are developing, introducing and utilizing robots that can do the following: acquire data at locations that have been inaccessible, decontaminate reactor buildings, and perform the research and work needed for the decontamination of the reactor buildings. In 2013, for example, the following were done. A robot for surveys of high places (introduced in June) was utilized Raccoon (left) and ASTACO-SoRa (right) Courtesy of TEPCO for investigating high, narrow spaces. The boat (introduced in November, it had detected leakage before) was utilized for identifying leakage from the bottom of a containment vessel at Unit 1 of the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. A decontamination robot (Raccoon, introduced in November) was utilized for decontaminating Unit 2 of the power station. And a rubble removal robot (ASTACO-SoRa, introduced in July) was utilized for Suctioning/blasting decontamination apparatus removing the rubble from Unit 3 of the power station. Courtesy of TEPCO Additionally, in February 2014, a demonstration test of a suctioning/blasting decontamination apparatus that can remove contamination by suctioning rubble and scraping the surface of objects by blasting abrasive compounds was implemented at Unit 1 of the power station. The government and TEPCO will continue to develop and utilize robots for nuclear disaster sites and to make efforts toward the By using the components of spent decommissioning.1 fuel stored by JAEA, the impact of immersion in hot seawater on mechanical strength and the like are evaluated. 2 Quince, Survey Runner, etc. 18