Articles by Mari Yamaguchi

Tokyo Court Rules Only Fukushima Operator Must Pay Compensation, Cuts Damages

A Tokyo court has ruled that only the operator of the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant had to pay damages to dozens of evacuees, relieving the government of responsibility. Plaintiffs criticized the ruling as belittling their suffering and the severity …

Removing Fukushima’s Melted Nuclear Fuel Will Be Harder Than Wastewater Release

At a small section of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant’s central control room, the treated water transfer switch is on. A graph on a computer monitor nearby shows a steady decrease of water levels as treated radioactive wastewater is diluted …

Japan’s Top Court Rules Government Restrictions on Transgender Employee’s Use of Restrooms Illegal

Japan’s Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that restrictions imposed by a government ministry on a transgender female employee’s use of restrooms at her workplace are illegal, in a landmark decision that could promote the rights of LGBTQ+ people in a country …

New Images From Inside Fukushima Nuclear Reactor Spark Safety Concerns

Images captured by a robotic probe inside one of the three melted reactors at Japan’s wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant showed exposed steel bars in the main supporting structure and parts of its thick external concrete wall missing, triggering concerns …

What’s Happening at Fukushima Nuclear Plant 12 Years After Meltdown?

Twelve years after the triple reactor meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, Japan is preparing to release a massive amount of treated radioactive wastewater into the sea. Japanese officials say the release is unavoidable and should start soon. …

Japan Indicates Delay of Fukushima Plant Water Release

Japan has revised the timing of a planned release to the sea of treated but still radioactive wastewater at the Fukushima nuclear power plant to “around spring or summer,” indicating a delay from the initial target of this spring, after …

Japan Approves Plan to Release Wastewater From Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant

TOKYO (AP) – Japan’s nuclear regulator on Wednesday approved plans by the operator of the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant to release its treated radioactive wastewater into the sea next year, saying the outlined methods are safe and risks to the …

Japan Officials Investigate Previous Accidents of Operator of Sunken Japan Tour Boat

TOKYO (AP) – The head of the company that operated a tourist boat that sank off northern Japan with 26 people aboard said Wednesday he approved the trip despite a broken communication device and forecasts of rough weather, as officials …

Team of Nuclear Experts to Visit Wrecked Fukushima Plant to Check Water Release Plan

A team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency will visit Japan’s wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant next week to review plans to begin releasing more than a million tons of treated radioactive water into the sea, a mission …

Fukushima Plant Officials Admit Failure to Probe Cause of Faulty Filters

TOKYO — Officials at Japan’s wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant have acknowledged they neglected to investigate the cause of faulty exhaust filters that are key to preventing radioactive pollution, after being forced to replace them twice. Representatives of the operator, …