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UK industry supports Fukushima Dai-ichi decommissioning and clean-up

The UK has supported Japan, since the accident at Fukushima Dai-ichi, through sharing our unique experience in nuclear decommissioning.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
UKTI hold the 2nd UK-Japan Decommissioning Workshop in Tokyo

Over 100 participants from both the UK and Japan took part in the second UK-Japan nuclear decommissioning workshop. The UK and Japan are growing their already strong ties following the signing of UK-Japan Civil Nuclear Co-operation Agreement.

Support to Japan from the UK nuclear industry

The UK’s civil nuclear industry is the oldest in the world. As a result the UK has vast experience in decommissioning, and is keen to share it with Japanese colleagues. There is enthusiasm in Japan to learn from the UK in the following areas:

  • decommissioning and remediation
  • waste management
  • site management and operations
  • programme management
  • stakeholder engagement

UK companies who feel they may be able to support the on-going efforts at Fukushima Dai-ichi should contact UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) using the details below.

UK-Japan decommissioning workshops

The latest in a series of workshops workshop was held in Tokyo from 30th June to 3rd July 2014. It was held in conjunction with UKTI, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the International Research Institute for Nuclear Decommissioning (IRID), a Japanese consortium.

Representatives from UK companies, and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) met with Japanese colleagues for a series of discussion sessions covering all aspects of decommissioning.

The workshop covered:

  • UK waste management strategy
  • UK decommissioning site management
  • Update on progress at Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station
  • Safety measures taken at other Japanese nuclear sites following the accident

In addition, UK delegates were able to visit the Fukushima Dai-ichi site where they were impressed with the progress made in the last 3 years. A visit was also made to the Hamaoka nuclear power plant by to see the countermeasures being undertaken to increase safety at the plant.

Contact

Dr Keith Franklin, First Secretary (Nuclear), British Embassy Tokyo

Published 5 August 2014