Published 3 days ago • loading... • Updated 6 hours ago

Slightly radioactive soil from Fukushima will be used in the prime minister’s flower beds

On May 27, 2025, Japan announced plans to use slightly radioactive soil from near the Fukushima nuclear plant in flowerbeds at the prime minister’s office in Tokyo.
The soil was removed during radiation decontamination after the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and subsequent reactor meltdowns at Fukushima Daiichi that contaminated surrounding areas.
Authorities have stored a vast volume of contaminated earth at temporary facilities near the Fukushima plant and have encountered resistance from local communities during earlier efforts to repurpose the material outside the prefecture.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated that the government intends to pioneer efforts and demonstrate leadership, beginning with actions taken at the prime minister’s office, to foster public confidence.
The government intends this symbolic reuse to demonstrate safety and encourage broader soil reuse while seeking permanent disposal sites outside Fukushima by March 2045.

Insights by Ground AI

Does this summary seem wrong?

65 Articles

All

Left

Center

Right

LA Daily News

+13 Reposted by 13other sources

Center

Slightly radioactive soil from Fukushima will be used in the prime minister’s flower beds

By MARI YAMAGUCHI TOKYO (AP) — Japan said Tuesday it plans to use some slightly radioactive soil stored near the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant on flower beds at Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s office to show it is safe to reuse. Related Articles Israel authorizes more settlements in the occupied West Bank. Strikes on Gaza kill 34, officials say Argentine court declares a mistrial in the death of soccer st…

6 hours ago·Los Angeles, United States

Read Full Article

Gizmodo

Lean Left

Japan Puts Fukushima Soil in Prime Minister’s Flower Beds to Show It's Safe

Fourteen years since one of the worst nuclear accidents in history, Japan is getting creative in the effort to convince people that the contaminated soil is safe enough to be recycled.

1 day ago·United States

Read Full Article

The Times

Center

Why PM is putting radioactive soil in his garden

Barack Obama did it with water, John Gummer with burgers — now Shigeru Ishiba of Japan is trying to play down fears about Fukushima

2 days ago·United Kingdom

Read Full Article

The Independent

Lean Left

Japanese PM uses radioactive Fukushima soil in his garden to prove a point

The soil was removed from Fukushima during decontamination efforts following the 2011 nuclear disaster

2 days ago·London, United Kingdom

Read Full Article

Welt

Lean Right

Japan Wants to Use Fukushima Soil for Flower Beds

The work around the nuclear power plant in Fukushima left Japan with a giant mountain of contaminated earth. Eleven sports stadiums could be filled with it. Now the government is developing ideas for re-use.

2 days ago·Dortmund, Germany

Read Full Article