JAEA's R&D on volume reduction of contaminated soil generated by decontamination in Fukushima

Mitsui, Seiichiro  ; Sekiyama, Tomio; Kato, Mitsugu; Asazuma, Shinichiro ; Kato, Hiroyasu*; Ueta, Shinzo*

A huge volume of contaminated soils and wastes has been generated by off-site decontamination works in Fukushima and has been stored at temporary storage sites located near or at decontamination sites. The soils and wastes will be sequentially transferred to the Interim Storage Facility (ISF). According to a relevant law, the soils and wastes will be disposed at a final disposal site outside Fukushima within the next 30 years. The total volume of the contaminated soils which will be stored in the ISF is estimated to be up to 20 million cubic meters, thus reduction of its final disposal volume is vital to minimize various impacts of final disposal. In order to optimize final disposal outside Fukushima, the government will commence research and development on soil treatment techniques and use application of less-contaminated soil. As the one and only institution dedicated to the comprehensive R&D of nuclear energy-related technology in Japan, we will support the government efforts.