The IAEA Published a Report on Its Second Review Mission of Safety Aspects of Handling of ALPS Treated Water at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station since the Start of the Discharge in April 2024

1. Summary

The review mission of the Safety Aspects of Handling of ALPS treated water at FDNPS in April 2024 was conducted based on the Terms of Reference (TOR) on reviews of safety aspects of handling ALPS treated water, which was signed with the IAEA in July 2021. This is the second review mission since the start of the discharge. The IAEA’s review has been conducted by the IAEA Task Force, which consists of the IAEA officials and international experts (from Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, France, the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam.) For this mission review, six IAEA officials and nine international experts (from Argentina, Australia, China, France, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam) visited Japan. 
This report mainly describes the findings of the IAEA's review in April 2024 in accordance with international safety standards.

2. Key Points of the Report 
*These are quotes from the IAEA report (Including some summaries)

Main review item

• The Task Force did not identify anything that is inconsistent with the requirements in the relevant international safety standards. Therefore, the IAEA can reaffirm the fundamental conclusions of its safety review as outlined in the 4 July 2023 Comprehensive Report.
• The regulatory infrastructure in place is appropriate to provide operational safety oversight of the discharge of ALPS treated water, and the Task Force was able to witness first-hand the continuous onsite presence of the NRA and their activities in this regard.
• The Task Force confirmed that the equipment and facilities are installed and operated in a manner that is consistent with the Implementation Plan and the relevant international safety standards.
• The Task Force noted the importance of the IAEA's ongoing corroboration activities and its on-site independent sampling and analyses, in providing a comprehensive, transparent and objective verification of the accuracy and reliability of the data reported by TEPCO and the Government of Japan.

Future activities

• The Task Force will continue to review the activities of TEPCO and NRA to assess whether they are consistent with the relevant international safety standards.
• During this April mission the Task Force discussed its next steps and highlighted a desire to continue conducting routine review missions to Japan.
  The next review mission is anticipated to take place in the last quarter 2024.

3. Response to the IAEA report

Through the IAEA review, the Government of Japan will continue to take measures in accordance with international safety standards and take all possible measures to ensure safety.

Related Links

• Press Release of the IAEA
• Report of the IAEA
• Publication of the IAEA Comprehensive Report on the Safety Review of the ALPS Treated Water at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) (July 4, 2023)
• Portal Site ALPS treated water (METI website)
• ALPS Treated Water (METI website)
• ALPS Treated Water (IAEA website)

Division in Charge

Nuclear Accident Response Office, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy