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Fukushima Decontamination Soil to Be Reused at Government Offices

TOKYO - The Japanese government plans to reuse low-radioactivity soil generated by decontamination work after the Fukushima nuclear accident at government office complexes in Saitama and Sendai, marking the first such reuse outside Tokyo.

Soil removed during decontamination following the nuclear accident is currently stored at interim storage facilities in Fukushima Prefecture.

Under law, the material must be disposed of permanently outside Fukushima Prefecture by 2045.

The government has been promoting plans to reuse soil containing relatively low concentrations of radioactive substances.

Such soil was reused last year at locations including the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo.

Environment Minister Ishihara said on August 25 that the government now plans to reuse the soil at joint government office buildings in Saitama and Sendai.

The projects will be the first cases in which Fukushima decontamination soil is reused outside Tokyo.

Source: TBS

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