TEPCO Retrieves First Melted Fuel Debris from Fukushima

Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) has successfully retrieved a small piece of melted nuclear fuel debris from the containment vessel of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant's No. 2 reactor, marking the first such recovery since the 2011 disaster. The debris, approximately 5 millimeters in size, was collected using a remote-controlled retrieval device resembling a fishing rod. Following the retrieval, TEPCO plans to measure the radiation levels of the sample; if it meets safety standards, it will be transported for further analysis. Approximately 880 tons of radioactive debris remain in the reactors, making this retrieval a significant step in the long and complex decommissioning process. The retrieval mission faced delays due to technical issues, but TEPCO aims to use the data from this sample to inform future debris removal efforts. The successful retrieval highlights both the challenges and progress in addressing the aftermath of the nuclear crisis triggered by a massive earthquake and tsunami over a decade ago.