Concerns over Japan’s plan to repurpose Fukushima’s radioactive soil

The Ministry of the Environment of Japan has been seeking public comments on its plan to “reconstruct and reuse” decontaminated soil from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. FoE Japan strongly opposes the proposal, arguing that it lacks legal justification, poses environmental and health risks, and has been poorly communicated to the public.

The soil in question, referred to as “removed soil,” contains radioactive contaminants and is currently held in interim storage facilities. Under Japanese law, final disposal outside Fukushima Prefecture must be completed by March 2045. To reduce the volume of soil requiring disposal, the Ministry aims to repurpose soil with radioactive cesium concentrations below 8,000 Bq/kg in public works projects. However, critics warn that this could lead to radioactive contamination, unclear management responsibilities, and a lack of public oversight.

FoE Japan points out that the Ministry has not adequately engaged the public, failing to hold hearings or explanatory meetings despite the significant implications of the plan. Furthermore, the proposal does not have a clear legal basis, as the Special Measures Law for Decontamination does not explicitly endorse “reconstruction and reuse.” Simply modifying ministerial ordinances is not sufficient to justify such a move.

The organisation also raises concerns over the terminology used. By including “reconstruction” in the plan’s name, the government appears to be framing the spread of radioactive material as a contribution to recovery. This risks misleading the public and downplaying the potential dangers. Additionally, the policy conflicts with existing waste management regulations, which distinguish between “recycling” and “disposal.” The Ministry’s attempt to classify “reconstruction and reuse” as a form of disposal is legally questionable.

Another major concern is the potential for radioactive contamination. Using contaminated soil in public projects increases the likelihood of radioactive material spreading, particularly in cases of natural disasters, construction repairs, or erosion. Although the Ministry claims that covering the soil will prevent leaks, past environmental incidents suggest that these measures may not be sufficient. The absence of a clear timeline for monitoring and managing the reused soil further compounds these risks.

The proposal also fails to enforce strict regulations on where the soil can be used. While the guidelines acknowledge risks in certain areas, they do not impose firm restrictions, leaving implementation decisions ambiguous. Responsibility for soil management is similarly unclear, with no entity explicitly assigned to prevent dispersion, conduct radiation testing, or maintain records. This lack of accountability makes enforcement difficult.

FoE Japan also criticises the Ministry’s approach to responsibility division. The plan assigns different management duties to different layers of covered soil, an impractical and ineffective system. Moreover, the guidelines lack legal enforcement, meaning violations may go unchecked. The Ministry’s dual role as both promoter and regulator of the policy further raises concerns about conflicts of interest and oversight failures.

The proposal also contradicts Japan’s existing radiation protection standards. Under current nuclear regulations, any material exceeding 100 Bq/kg must undergo stringent handling procedures. Yet, this plan permits the reuse of soil with up to 8,000 Bq/kg, far exceeding the standard. Furthermore, there are no safety provisions for workers handling this soil, leaving them vulnerable to radiation exposure.

Adding to these concerns is the lack of transparency. There is no legal requirement for public notification before implementing projects using contaminated soil, meaning residents may be unaware of its use in their communities. This raises serious ethical and safety issues. Furthermore, the policy contradicts previous commitments made to Fukushima Prefecture. The government had assured that all contaminated soil would be removed from the region within 30 years, but if the soil is repurposed locally, it may never leave, effectively breaking that promise.

Given these significant issues, FoE Japan is calling for the immediate withdrawal of the proposed ordinance revision. The organisation urges the government to adopt a more transparent, legally sound, and publicly accountable approach to managing radioactive waste from the Fukushima disaster.