Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated on the 2nd regarding the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, "We will guide TEPCO, prioritizing safety, towards decommissioning by 2051," adding, "The government will also take the lead and take full responsibility until the end."

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi inspects Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Kyodo/Yonhap News

According to Kyodo News and NHK, Prime Minister Takaichi, on his first visit to Fukushima since taking office, made these remarks about the decommissioning work.

The Japanese government aims to complete the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, which suffered an accident during the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, around 2051.

Prime Minister Takaichi toured the decommissioning work in progress at Fukushima Daiichi, the status of the ocean release of contaminated water (referred to as treated water in Japan), and intermediate storage facilities for decontaminated soil, while also receiving explanations from officials.

He also stated, "It is a promise from the government," regarding the government's policy to finally dispose of decontaminated soil (soil removed during decontamination of surrounding residential areas and farmland after the nuclear accident) outside Fukushima Prefecture by 2045.

Concerning areas where returning is difficult around the nuclear plant, he said, "We will proceed with decontamination and infrastructure maintenance so that all residents who wish to return can do so."

Yonhap News