Advancing Off-Site Final Disposal of Fukushima Removed Soil

On August 25, 2026, Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara held the fourth meeting at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. The meeting discussed the status of reconstruction-related reuse and other efforts toward achieving the final disposal outside Fukushima Prefecture of removed soil and other materials from within the prefecture.

The government identified achieving final disposal outside Fukushima Prefecture as one of the important challenges for Fukushima's reconstruction and indicated a policy of advancing efforts based on the roadmap compiled last year.

Promoting reconstruction-related reuse and other measures was deemed to require broad public understanding of their necessity and safety. The relevant ministries and agencies will strengthen clear communication through on-site information activities, site visits, panel discussions, and other means.

As the next step, construction will promptly be carried out at two regional bureaus, while the relevant ministries and agencies will cooperate to create projects at other regional bureaus and elsewhere. The government will then advance consideration toward creating pilot cases of reconstruction-related reuse for actual applications.

Toward final disposal outside Fukushima Prefecture, efforts by the expert committee and the trial excavation of removed soil explained by the Minister of the Environment will be advanced. Based on this progress, the process through to final disposal outside the prefecture will be progressively specified.