"2011 Japanese nuclear accidents" redirects here. For the preceding earthquake and tsunami, see 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. For other 2011 Japanese nuclear accidents or incidents, see List of Japanese nuclear incidents.
Fukushima nuclear accident
Part of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
The four damaged reactor buildings (from left: Units 4, 3, 2, and 1) on 16 March 2011. Hydrogen-air explosions in Units 1, 3, and 4 caused structural damage.[1]
1 suspected from radiation (lung cancer, 4 years later),[2] and up to 2,202 from evacuation-related stress among the elderly.[3]
Non-fatal injuries
6 with cancer or leukemia,[4] 16 with physical injuries due to hydrogen explosions.[5] 2 workers hospitalized with radiation burns[6][7]
Displaced
+164,000 local residents
Cross-section of a typical BWR Mark I containment as used in units 1 to 5. RPV: reactor pressure vessel DW: drywell enclosing reactor pressure vessel WW: wetwell – torus-shaped all around the base enclosing steam suppression pool. Excess steam from the drywell enters the wetwell water pool via downcomer pipes. SFP: spent fuel pool area SCSW: secondary concrete shield wall
The Fukushima nuclear accident was a major nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Ōkuma, Fukushima, Japan which began on March 11, 2011. The proximate cause of the accident was the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, which resulted in electrical grid failure and damaged nearly all of the power plant's backup energy sources. The subsequent inability to sufficiently cool reactors after shutdown compromised containment and resulted in the release of radioactive contaminants into the surrounding environment.[8][9] The accident was rated seven (the maximum severity) on the INES by NISA, following a report by the JNES (Japan Nuclear Energy Safety Organization).[10][11]
No adverse health effects among Fukushima residents or power station workers have been documented that are directly attributable to radiation exposure from the accident, according to the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation.[12]: 106 [13][8] Insurance compensation was paid for one death from lung cancer, but this does not prove a causal relationship between radiation and the cancer.[2] 6 other persons have been reported as having developed cancer or leukemia.[4] 2 workers were hospitalized because of radiation burns,[6] and several other people sustained physical injuries as a consequence of the accident.[5][14] Criticisms have been made about the public perception of radiological hazards resulting from accidents and the implementation of evacuations (similar to the Chernobyl nuclear accident), as they were accused of causing more harm than they prevented.[15] Following the accident, at least 164,000 residents of the surrounding area were permanently or temporarily displaced (either voluntarily or by evacuation order).[16] This response resulted in at least 51 fatalities,[17] with more in following estimates, mainly attributed to subsequent stress or fear of radiological hazards, among older people for the most part.[18][19][20]
Investigations faulted lapses in safety and oversight, namely failures in risk assessment and evacuation planning.[8] Controversy surrounds the disposal of treated wastewater once used to cool the reactor, resulting in numerous protests in neighboring countries.[21]
^Cite error: The named reference Aerial photos by Air Photo Service Co. was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ abResponses and Actions Taken by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan on Radiation Protection at Works Relating to the Accident at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant 6th Edition (Fiscal Year of 2018) (PDF) (Report). Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. 31 January 2019. p. 13. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 January 2022.
^Robin.Harding (11 March 2018). "Fukushima nuclear disaster: did the evacuation raise the death toll?". Financial Times. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
^ ab"Compensation claims from Fukushima plant work top 260 since 2011". The Japan Times. 31 October 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
^ abCite error: The named reference injuries was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ abMcCurry, Justin (24 March 2011). "Japan nuclear plant workers in hospital after radiation exposure". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
^"Radiation-exposed workers to be treated at Chiba hospital". Kyodo News. 25 March 2011. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
^ abcCite error: The named reference IAEA2015 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference Braun2011 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference en20110412-4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^"Fukushima Nuclear Accident Update Log". www.iaea.org. 12 April 2011. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
^Cite error: The named reference 2020_21_Report_Vol.II was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference :3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference IAEAtsunami1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^"Designating and rearranging the areas of evacuation" Japan Cabinet Office
^Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference spie78 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference :11 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference :12 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^"Protests continue against Japan's dumping of radioactive water | Green Left". www.greenleft.org.au. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
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