Abstract
In response to the unprecedented situation concerning radioactive pollution resulting from the accident at TEPCO′s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the Act on Special Measures Concerning the Handling of Radioactive Pollution was enacted in August 2011. With the “Basic Principles” and related orders for handling radioactive pollution established by the end of that year, the Act came into full force on January 1, 2012. Thus, a new policy framework for off-site disposal of wastes contaminated by radioactive materials and their decontamination had been established and steadily implemented under the responsibility of the national government.
This article provides an overview of the measures and initiatives undertaken by the government of Japan for off-site disposal of wastes contaminated by radioactive materials toward recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake, as well as the situation at TEPCO′s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant before and after the Act was fully enforced.
