THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
December 24, 2025 at 13:44 JST
The Fugen advanced thermal reactor in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, in July 2023 (Asahi Shimbun file photo)
Water containing radioactive tritium leaked at the Fugen advanced thermal prototype reactor in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, which is undergoing decommissioning, but no injuries were reported, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency announced on Dec. 23.
Three workers were at the scene, but they evacuated immediately and were not exposed to radiation.
The JAEA said the contaminated water did not leak outside the building and there was no impact on the surrounding environment.
According to the agency, the leak occurred at around 3:18 p.m. on Dec. 23.
Three employees of a contractor were cutting a stainless steel pipe about 2 centimeters in diameter on the third floor of the reactor auxiliary building.
About 20 milliliters of residual, tritium-containing water reportedly leaked from inside the pipe.
The amount of radioactivity was estimated to be at least 40 million becquerels, more than 10 times the legal reporting threshold of 3.7 million becquerels stipulated by the law on the regulation of nuclear reactors.
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