Fukushima nuclear accident

"2011 Japanese nuclear accidents" redirects here. For the preceding earthquake and tsunami, see 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. For other 2011 Japanese nuclear accidents or incidents, see List of Japanese nuclear incidents.

Fukushima nuclear accident
Part of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
The four damaged reactor buildings (from left: Units 4, 3, 2, and 1) on 16 March 2011. Hydrogen-air explosions in Units 1, 3, and 4 caused structural damage.[1]
Date11 March 2011 (2011-03-11)
LocationŌkuma and Futaba, Fukushima, Japan
Coordinates37°25′17″N 141°1′57″E / 37.42139°N 141.03250°E / 37.42139; 141.03250
OutcomeInternational Nuclear Event Scale Level 7 (major accident)
Deaths1 suspected from radiation (lung cancer, 4 years later).[2][3]
Non-fatal injuries6 with cancer or leukemia,[4]
16 with physical injuries due to hydrogen explosions.[5]
2 workers hospitalized with radiation burns[6][7]
Displaced164,000+ local residents

On March 11, 2011, a major nuclear accident started at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Ōkuma, Fukushima, Japan. The direct cause was the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, which resulted in electrical grid failure and damaged nearly all of the power plant's backup energy sources. The subsequent inability to sufficiently cool reactors after shutdown compromised containment and resulted in the release of radioactive contaminants into the surrounding environment.[8]: 56–58  The accident was rated seven (the maximum severity) on the International Nuclear Event Scale by Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, following a report by the JNES (Japan Nuclear Energy Safety Organization).[9][10] It is regarded as the worst nuclear incident since the Chernobyl disaster in 1986,[11] which was also rated a seven on the International Nuclear Event Scale.[12]

According to the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, "no adverse health effects among Fukushima residents have been documented that are directly attributable to radiation exposure from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant accident".[13]: 106 [14] Insurance compensation was paid for one death from lung cancer, but this does not prove a causal relationship between radiation and the cancer.[2][3] Six other persons have been reported as having developed cancer or leukemia.[4] Two workers were hospitalized because of radiation burns,[6] and several other people sustained physical injuries as a consequence of the accident.[5]

Criticisms have been made about the public perception of radiological hazards resulting from accidents and the implementation of evacuations (similar to the Chernobyl nuclear accident), as they were accused of causing more harm than they prevented.[15] Following the accident, at least 164,000 residents of the surrounding area were permanently or temporarily displaced (either voluntarily or by evacuation order).[15][8]: 158  The displacements resulted in at least 51 deaths as well as stress and fear of radiological hazards.[16][17][18][19]

Investigations faulted lapses in safety and oversight, namely failures in risk assessment and evacuation planning.[8]: 61, 84–88  Controversy surrounds the disposal of treated wastewater once used to cool the reactor, resulting in numerous protests in neighboring countries.[20][21][22]

The expense of cleaning up the radioactive contamination and compensation for the victims of the Fukushima nuclear accident was estimated by Japan's trade ministry in November 2016 to be 20 trillion yen (equivalent to 180 billion US dollars).[23]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Aerial photos by Air Photo Service Co. was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Responses and Actions Taken by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan on Radiation Protection at Works Relating to the Accident at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant 6th Edition (Fiscal Year of 2018) (PDF) (Report). Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. 31 January 2019. p. 13. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 January 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Japan acknowledges first radiation death from nuclear plant hit by tsunami". ABC News. 6 September 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Compensation claims from Fukushima plant work top 260 since 2011". The Japan Times. 31 October 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference injuries was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b McCurry, Justin (24 March 2011). "Japan nuclear plant workers in hospital after radiation exposure". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  7. ^ "Radiation-exposed workers to be treated at Chiba hospital". Kyodo News. 25 March 2011. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  8. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference IAEA2015 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference en20110412-4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ "Fukushima Nuclear Accident Update Log". IAEA. 12 April 2011. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  11. ^ "The Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Accident: An overview". United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  12. ^ "The international nuclear and radiological event scale" (PDF). IAEA. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference 2020_21_Report_Vol.II was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference Fujimori-2014 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Waddington-2017 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ Cite error: The named reference Government of Japan was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  17. ^ Cite error: The named reference spie78 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  18. ^ Cite error: The named reference Harada-2015 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  19. ^ Cite error: The named reference Hasegawa-2015 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  20. ^ Cite error: The named reference Wong-2023 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  21. ^ Cite error: The named reference korwater was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  22. ^ Rodrigues, Charlene Anne (12 August 2023). "Fukushima nuclear disaster: Activists march against Tokyo's waste plan". BBC. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  23. ^ "Japan Fukushima nuclear plant 'clean-up costs double'". BBC News. 28 November 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2024. The latest estimate from the trade ministry put the expected cost at some 20 trillion yen ($180bn, £142bn).
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