Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster

On March 11, 2011, a massive undersea megathrust earthquake, known as the Tōhoku earthquake, occurred off the northeastern coast of Japan. This earthquake, with a magnitude of 9.0-9.1, triggered powerful tsunami waves that reached heights of up to 40.5 meters. The devastating natural disaster led to widespread destruction, causing the death of over 15,000 people, and severely damaging the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant owned by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO).

On March 12, 2011, the day after the earthquake and tsunami, an explosion occurred at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant's Unit 1 reactor building. This explosion was caused by a buildup of hydrogen gas, which ignited due to the failure of cooling systems that were severely damaged by the natural disasters. The explosion significantly damaged the building and released radioactive material into the environment. This marked the beginning of a nuclear crisis as TEPCO and Japanese authorities struggled to contain the situation and prevent further releases of radiation.

On March 15, 2011, another crisis unfolded at the Fukushima Daiichi plant when a fire broke out in the spent fuel pool of Unit 4. The fire was attributed to a decline in water levels, which exposed the spent nuclear fuel rods. This led to the release of radioactive materials into the atmosphere, compounding the nuclear disaster initiated by the previous explosions and reactor failures. The situation worsened public fears as the Japanese government considered a wider evacuation from the areas surrounding the plant.

On April 12, 2011, Japanese authorities raised the severity level of the nuclear accident at Fukushima Daiichi to level 7 on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES), the highest rating, putting it on par with the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. This reevaluation was due to the significant amount of radioactive material released into the environment. The heightened level indicated a major release of radioactive material with widespread health and environmental effects, requiring implementation of planned and extended countermeasures.

On July 19, 2011, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) released internal reports detailing several malfunctions and errors made in response to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. These reports highlighted the lack of preparedness, inadequate crisis management, and several procedural lapses that occurred in the critical hours and days following the earthquake and tsunami. The revelations led to resignations and increased scrutiny over nuclear safety protocols within Japan and around the world.

On August 9, 2011, the Japanese government reported that radioactive cesium was detected in rice growing near the Fukushima Daiichi plant. This was the first time such contamination was found in rice, a staple food in Japan, raising concerns about food safety, particularly in the Fukushima prefecture. Strict testing and agricultural restrictions were enforced to prevent contaminated rice from entering the food supply, but the event significantly impacted local farming communities and caused public concern about long-term food safety.

On July 28, 2013, TEPCO reported a significant leak of radioactive water from a storage tank at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. The leak was estimated to be about 300 tons, contaminating the surrounding area and eventually seeping into the Pacific Ocean. This incident underscored the ongoing challenges and complexities of containing the radioactive material resulting from the nuclear disaster, raising serious environmental concerns and prompting more stringent monitoring and response measures by TEPCO and the Japanese government.

On March 11, 2015, marking the fourth anniversary of the disaster, the Japanese government continued to reassess and amend evacuation areas surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi plant. Despite significant decontamination efforts, many areas remained uninhabitable, affecting tens of thousands of residents displaced since 2011. Government efforts focused on safe decontamination, reconstruction, and supporting displaced families, with some areas being declared safe for habitation while others continued to face restrictions due to lingering radiation.

On February 2, 2017, a robot deployed by TEPCO managed to capture the first images of what was believed to be melted nuclear fuel within the Fukushima Daiichi plant's Unit 2 reactor. This discovery provided crucial information about the severity and location of the nuclear meltdown, aiding in the planning of future cleanup and decommissioning efforts. The images confirmed suspicions about the conditions inside the reactors and underscored the technical challenges involved in the ongoing recovery and decommissioning process.

On September 14, 2019, Japanese government officials and TEPCO began discussing the possible release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi site into the Pacific Ocean. The treated water contained tritium, a radioactive isotope difficult to remove. The proposal met with international attention and concern, particularly from neighboring countries. Discussions highlighted the complexities involved in safely managing the vast amounts of stored water while ensuring the protection of the environment and maintaining international relations.