The first groundwater diverted from the Fukushima Daiichi plant has been released into the sea after tests showed that contamination was well below permissible levels. The bypass system will significantly reduce the volume of contaminated water that Tepco must deal with.
Sendai nuclear power plant units 1 and 2 have draft approval to restart and generate electricity again. The final stages in Japan's new licensing regime could be completed before September.
New technology for the manufacture of nuclear fuel components from silicon carbide (SiC) has been developed by Japanese researchers. A prototype fuel assembly cover has already been fabricated and is awaiting trials._56x48.jpg "Fukushima Daiichi 2 cleanup robot (Tepco) 56x48")
Two robots are cleaning up contamination inside Fukushima Daiichi 2. A new one is wiping down the walls while another continues to scrub the floor.
Construction has started of a wall of frozen soil at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to prevent groundwater entering the reactor buildings. The ice wall is expected to take nine months to complete.
A district court in Japan has ordered Kansai Electric Power Company not to restart two units at its Ohi nuclear power plant in Fukui prefecture due to public concerns. Kansai said it will appeal the ruling.