The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) reported on Tuesday, December 23, a leak of tritium-contaminated water at the Tsuruga nuclear plant, located in Fukui Prefecture, during decommissioning work on the Fugen reactor, which ceased operations in 2003.

The incident, which occurred during the final closure of the unit, has reignited concerns about the safety of radioactive waste management in the country.

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According to the JAEA’s official statement, the spill occurred accidentally while a team was performing routine maintenance in the test equipment area on the third floor of an auxiliary building. Technicians were cutting pipes when the leak of radioactive liquid was detected, immediately triggering emergency protocols. Three workers present at the site were immediately evacuated after the safety alarms were activated.

Although the agency stated that preliminary measurements did not register concerning levels of radiation either inside or outside the plant, local media have warned of the possibility of internal exposure to tritium by personnel, due to the increase in radioactive particles in the air of the facility.

The JAEA emphasized that the radioactive material remained contained within the facility, with no evidence of leakage into the soil or external water sources. Nevertheless, constant monitoring is being maintained in the coastal areas of Fukui to rule out any residual impact.

The Fugen reactor, a prototype of advanced thermal technology, is part of a complex nuclear decommissioning plan that Japan has been carrying out for more than two decades—a technical, lengthy, and high-risk process.

This incident reinforces the need for transparency in the management of nuclear waste, especially in a national context marked by public sensitivity following the Fukushima disaster in 2011 and the recent controlled releases of treated water into the ocean.

Civil society organizations have demanded clear information and guarantees for the health of workers operating in radioactive areas, while authorities attempt to quell public concern with updated technical data. Transparency in information and the safety of nuclear workers remain critical issues in the Japanese energy debate.

From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.