Search Results

Fukui Prefecture in Japan Likely to Approve KEPCO's Dry Storage Facility for Spent Nuclear Fuel

According to multiple officials of Fukui Prefecture, Japan, Governor Takato Ishida of Fukui Prefecture is expected to approve Kansai Electric Power Company's (KEPCO) construction of a dry storage facility for spent nuclear fuel at its nuclear power plants within the prefecture. If completed, this would mark the first adoption of such an on-site interim storage facility at KEPCO's nuclear power plants. A dry storage facility is used to store spent nuclear fuel discharged from reactors. The basic approach involves placing spent fuel into dedicated metal containers and cooling them naturally through air circulation, without relying on electrical systems. Since the containers themselves can be transported by ship or trailer, subsequent off-site transfer is relatively convenient; even in the event of a power outage, the associated accident risk is considered low. Japan Atomic Power Company (JAPC) and Shikoku Electric Power Company operate nuclear power plants that have already adopted this storage method.

2026-08-25

Kansai Electric Power Launches Two Joint Research Projects for Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning

Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. announced on August 24 that it has completed the selection of joint research projects related to nuclear power plant decommissioning for fiscal year 2026, choosing two proposals from previously solicited research plans, and signed joint research contracts and commenced research activities on the same day. The projects target research on products and technologies applicable to decommissioning operations at Kansai Electric Power's nuclear power plants. The company solicited research proposals to be implemented from fiscal year 2026 between March 16 and April 30, 2026, with a focus on improving the safety and efficiency of dismantling operations, reducing radioactive waste, and supporting local companies in developing related products and technologies. Selected projects...

2026-08-24

Japan's TEPCO Receives 4.8 Billion Yen in Nuclear Damage Compensation Funds

Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO Holdings) announced on August 24 that it received a fund disbursement of 4.8 billion yen from the Nuclear Damage Compensation and Decommissioning Facilitation Corporation (NDF) on the same day. The disbursement was made in accordance with the revised Special Business Plan approved on March 31, 2026. TEPCO stated that, to date, it has received 188.9 billion yen in compensation under the Act on Compensation for Nuclear Damage, and a cumulative total of 11.5524 trillion yen in fund disbursements from the NDF. As the total compensation payments expected by the end of September 2026 are projected to exceed the combined amount of the above funds, the company applied for the 172nd fund disbursement. TEPCO said that while receiving institutional financial support, it will continue to advance compensation efforts for nuclear accident victims and meet related compensation demands. Information on claims and payment status, changes in cumulative total payments, and agreement amounts by category is available through the company's public channels.

2026-08-24

Kyoto Fusioneering Completes 25.72 Billion Yen Series D Funding Round

Japanese fusion startup Kyoto Fusioneering announced on August 24 that it has completed the first closing of its Series D funding round, with total financing of 25.72 billion yen. Of this amount, equity financing totaled 16.72 billion yen and debt financing totaled 9 billion yen, with the debt portion comprising credit lines and loan facilities. With this, the company's cumulative equity financing has reached 32.98 billion yen. Following this funding round, Kyoto Fusioneering is valued at approximately 120 billion yen, a significant increase from its pre-funding valuation, making it the first startup in Japan's fusion sector to exceed a valuation of 100 billion yen. The company has previously secured contracts exceeding 14 billion yen cumulatively in markets such as North America and Europe, and has set a short-term sales target of approximately 10 billion yen.

2026-08-24

Three Years Since Japan Began Discharging Nuclear-Contaminated Water: Over 170,000 Tons Released Across 22 Rounds

Since August 24, 2023, Japan has been discharging nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the Pacific Ocean. As of August 24, 2026, Japan has completed a total of 22 rounds of discharge, with a cumulative volume of approximately 173,000 tons. It is understood that the volume of water stored in on-site tanks has decreased by about 7% compared to before the discharge began. Tokyo Electric Power Company plans to increase the discharge volume of nuclear-contaminated water starting from the current fiscal year and has set a target to complete the decommissioning of the nuclear power plant by 2051. ...

2026-08-24

Japan's GX Promotion Organization Invests in Nuclear Fusion Startups

Japan's Green Transformation Promotion Organization (GX Promotion Organization) has invested in two startups, focusing on nuclear fusion-related technology and plastic recycling businesses respectively. The public funds invested are expected to be approximately 3 billion yen; when private sector funds are included, the total related investment is expected to reach approximately 20 billion yen. The two companies are Kyoto Fusioneering and JEPLAN. Among them, Kyoto Fusioneering is primarily engaged in the development of nuclear fusion engineering technology, while JEPLAN is involved in circular economy businesses such as plastic recycling. Details of the investment are expected to be officially announced by the relevant parties. This investment is seen as part of Japan's push to industrialize its green transformation.

2026-08-24

Busan, South Korea Reports No Abnormal Radiation Detected in Seawater and Seafood Three Years After Fukushima Discharge

Busan Metropolitan City stated on August 24 that since the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant began in 2023, the city has continuously conducted radiation monitoring and analysis of coastal seawater and seafood. The results show that the safety conditions of Busan's waters and seafood remain stable with no abnormal changes detected. According to Busan Metropolitan City, seawater radioactivity testing is currently conducted at 26 coastal points. Among them, samples from 14 coastal locations including Haeundae, Gwangalli, Dadaepo, Songdo, and Songjeong are analyzed by the Busan Metropolitan City Institute of Health and Environment and local university research institutions. Test results show that the concentrations of relevant radionuclides are far below the World Health Organization drinking water standards, with cesium-134,...

2026-08-24

Collective Radiation Dose of Workers at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Ranks Highest Nationwide

Japanese nuclear power plant operators are required to submit radiation management reports to the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) annually, detailing the exposure status of plant workers. According to the relevant 2025 reports, the collective radiation dose of workers at Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO)'s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station remains significantly higher than at other Japanese nuclear plants, indicating that the radiological impact from post-accident on-site decommissioning and management work is still ongoing. By collective dose per plant, Fukushima Daiichi recorded 20.97 person-sieverts, the highest in Japan. This figure is nine times the 2.22 person-sieverts reported at Kansai Electric Power's Takahama Nuclear Power Station...

2026-08-24

No abnormalities detected at multiple nuclear power plants after earthquake in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan

At around 2 a.m. on August 23, an earthquake struck the southern part of Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, with a maximum seismic intensity of 5-lower observed in parts of Ibaraki Prefecture, Tokyo Metropolis, Saitama Prefecture, and Chiba Prefecture. The Japanese government subsequently established a liaison office at the Crisis Management Center of the Prime Minister's Official Residence. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that relevant departments have been instructed to verify the damage situation and promptly release accurate information to the public. The earthquake posed no risk of tsunami. Japan Atomic Power Company (JAPC) stated that a seismic intensity of 3 was observed in the area where the Tokai Daini Nuclear Power Plant is located in Tokai Village, Ibaraki Prefecture. The unit is currently shut down, and as of now...

2026-08-24

Restart Plan for Unit 3 of Japan's Tomari Nuclear Power Plant May Face Uncertainty Due to Supplementary Review and Accident

Hokkaido Electric Power Co.'s Unit 3 of the Tomari Nuclear Power Plant was originally scheduled to restart in 2027, but the plan may face uncertainty due to additional review items and a fatal accident at the construction site. The Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) announced on August 20 that it will hold a supplementary review meeting on September 3 to deliberate on the approval of construction plans related to the restart of Unit 3 at the Tomari Nuclear Power Plant. This review requires new confirmation of fire safety measures. Hokkaido Electric Power stated that it will explain the construction plans at the September meeting and continue to work toward the 2027 restart target. Additionally, during the seawall construction at the Tomari Nuclear Power Plant, a...

2026-08-23

Japan Explains Plan for Spent Fuel Interim Storage Facility in Kaminoseki Town

Japan's Agency for Natural Resources and Energy recently held an explanatory meeting with the Kaminoseki Town Assembly regarding the Chugoku Electric Power Company's plan to construct a spent fuel interim storage facility in Kaminoseki Town, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The briefing covered the Japanese government's nuclear fuel cycle policy, facility safety, and related subsidy systems. The meeting was held on the 19th at the Kaminoseki Town Assembly. Previously, the Japanese government had decided to revise guidelines related to nuclear energy policy and included the Kaminoseki Town spent fuel interim storage facility plan within them. At the meeting, the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy stated that interim storage facilities are essential to supporting...

2026-08-23

JAEA Plans to Adjust Decommissioning Plan for Monju Fast Breeder Reactor

The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) announced on August 21 that it plans to adjust the decommissioning plan for the Monju fast breeder reactor in Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture. Under the revised plan, the remaining neutron shielding layers and other components inside the reactor, along with 227 dummy fuel assemblies, will no longer be removed separately in the current phase as originally planned, but will instead be handled together during the subsequent reactor pressure vessel dismantling phase. Monju is currently in the decommissioning process. Previously, JAEA had planned to proceed with the removal of internal reactor components within the current fiscal year, but due to two equipment failures, the related work was temporarily suspended, and the overall schedule is expected to be delayed by approximately one year. As of May 25, 595 shielding layers and related components in the reactor...

2026-08-22

Kyoto University and NEDO to Build Dedicated Beamline for Hydrogen Energy Research at SPring-8-II

Kyoto University announced on August 20 that it will collaborate with the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) to construct dedicated research equipment for the hydrogen energy field at the large synchrotron radiation facility SPring-8-II, located in Sayo Town, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. SPring-8-II is scheduled to begin operation in fiscal year 2029. On the 20th, Hajime Kitagawa, Executive Director of Kyoto University (2nd from right), attended a press conference held by Kyoto City government officials. According to the plan, the two parties will install a dedicated beamline at the facility, focusing on hydrogen energy-related research such as fuel cells and hydrogen production via water electrolysis. The beamline will be used to analyze key materials including catalysts and electrolyte membranes in fuel cells and water electrolyzers, leveraging synchrotron radiation to observe material reaction processes and help researchers identify the main factors affecting performance and cost.

2026-08-21

Takahama Town in Fukui Prefecture, Japan, Plans to Give Prior Consent to Kansai Electric Power's Construction of Spent Fuel Dry Storage Facility

On August 19, Hisakatsu Nishijima, mayor of Takahama Town in Fukui Prefecture, Japan, stated that he would give prior consent to Kansai Electric Power Co.'s plan to construct a spent fuel dry storage facility, in accordance with the safety agreement signed with the company. Following Mihama Town, Takahama Town became the second municipality in Fukui Prefecture hosting nuclear power plants to express its intention to give prior consent to the plan. On the same day, Nishijima explained this decision to council members at a meeting of the town assembly held at the town office, noting that he had already obtained the assembly's understanding in advance. He said the town government made its judgment after confirming relevant issues item by item, including the specific arrangements for transporting spent fuel out of the prefecture...

2026-08-21

Kyushu Electric Power explains holding company transition to Kagoshima Prefecture; Sendai Nuclear Power Plant business to continue

On August 20, Kyushu Electric Power President Masaru Nishiyama and two others visited the Kagoshima Prefectural Government to explain to Governor Koichi Shiota the company's plan to transition to a holding company structure in October this year. Under the plan, Kyushu Electric Power will establish a new holding company, Kyuden Holdings, as the group's parent company to improve overall group management efficiency. Following the restructuring, relevant subsidiaries under Kyushu Electric Power will continue to undertake nuclear power operations, including the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant. During the meeting, Governor Shiota specifically highlighted the dry storage facility for spent nuclear fuel that Kyushu Electric Power plans to adopt at the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant...

2026-08-21