Report on the Findings of the Nuclear Reform Monitoring Committee to the Board of TEPCO on Fukushima Daiichi Decommissioning,and on Progress of the Nuclear Safety Reform Plan

　At the fifth Nuclear Reform Monitoring Committee meeting held on Dec.2, the Committee received TEPCO's report on the "Fukushima Decommissioning" and "Progress of the Nuclear Safety Reform Plan," among others. The Committee's suggestions in reply are as follows:

• In light of persistent problems with contaminated water and tanks at Fukushima Daiichi NPS, TEPCO established the Contaminated Water and Tank Countermeasures Headquarters under the direct supervision of the Company President. This office has sought the knowledge of external experts and responded to the problems accordingly. On November 8, TEPCO established "Key safety measures"to increase the speed and reliability of its decommissioning work and measures against the contaminated water and tank problems. These measures were deemed to be comprehensive in terms of tangible and intangible aspects and on-the-ground execution. TEPCO should continue to carry out these measures promptly and steadily, and periodically provide information on the status of these efforts.
• Finding a comprehensive solution to the contaminated water and tank problems will require TEPCO to coordinate with the national government and local communities to promptly establish an integrated water management plan.
• The successful start of fuel removal from Unit 4 is a great milestone in the long-term decommissioning work. TEPCO should continue to perform this work carefully, making safety its highest priority, and should be transparent about its progress, making information available in Japan and abroad. The fact that TEPCO stopped and did a safety assessment after the first cask load, demonstrates movement towards enhanced safety culture.
• Since its establishment, Nuclear Safety Oversight Office ( NSOO ) has, under the leadership of Dr. John Crofts, carried out assessments of operational safety and of safety culture at all levels of management and reported the findings to the Board. It also oversaw the safety assessment and preparations for removal of fuel from the 1F, Unit 4, spent fuel pool. NSOO should continuously assess and evaluate TEPCO's safety culture, governance, and the safety of operation to enforce best world class standards.
• At the Kashiwazaki Kariwa Nuclear Power Station, TEPCO has incorporated safety measures using lessons learned from the Fukushima Daiichi Accident and filed an application of conformity to new regulatory standards. The site is currently undergoing inspections by the Nuclear Regulatory Authority and Niigata Prefecture authorities. Under these circumstances, TEPCO should continuously work to enhance its safety culture.
• TEPCO has conducted repeated disaster drills at Kashiwazaki Kariwa Nuclear Power Station and made many improvements based on problems identified in those drills. It has also begun to confer with the national government and local communities on establishing citizen evacuation plans. It is recommended that TEPCO conduct drills based on more severe conditions, and in addition conduct joint drills with outside parties.

　The Nuclear Reform Monitoring Committee will review the state of progress of TEPCO's reform initiatives at regular intervals, and will continue to publish its findings.