The Japanese government decided to invite a group of US firms to ensure decontamination of areas contaminated by the accident at the Fukushima I nuclear power station. It is preparing to invite about 30 US companies specializing in decontamination in late June. Japan’s governmental and private sectors are to provide information on the present status and the investment climate of decontamination, and the US firms are to make presentations on decontamination-related products. A government-managed decontamination project, which seeks to make the maximum use of the experience and know-how of the US firms, will start this summer.
The Japanese and US governments exchanged letters in March confirming comprehensive cooperation in nuclear research and development. Accident response, decommissioning and decontamination were listed as additional fields of cooperation. The invitation of the US firms is an outcome of cooperation between both governments.
The US firms include the Shaw Group, Energy Solutions and Los Alamos Technical Associates, (LATA), which have expertise in decontamination. They plan to exhibit their know-how and products, exchange opinions with local governments in Fukushima Prefecture and visit decontamination sites.
Japan’s governmental and private sectors will explain the current status of decontamination, relations with local governments, and use of overseas products and technologies. Expecting the participation of US firms in the project, they will also provide information on Japan’s business and investment environment.
