Japan decommissions two nuclear reactors at Fukushima

Japan’s prime minister has ordered two Fukushima nuclear reactors that survived the 2011 tsunami be decommissioned, following a tour of the crippled nuclear plant.

Shinzo Abe issued the order on Thursday, less than two weeks after assuring the world the situation was under control.

The Japanese premier also stated that his administration was committed to the International Olympic Committee to provide safety of 2020 Summer Games, saying, “I will work hard to counter rumors questioning the safety of the Fukushima plant.”

He added that he told Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) -the operator of the crippled nuclear power plant- to set a time frame for dealing with leaking contaminated water.

“In order for them to concentrate on this, I have directed them to decommission the No. 5 and No. 6 reactors that are now halted,” Abe said.

Speaking to Olympic chiefs in Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires before a decision was made to award the Games to Tokyo on September 7, Abe had said “Let me assure you, the situation is under control,” in reference to the plant.

In March 2011, a massive tsunami hit the Fukushima Daiichi plant and caused fuel-rod meltdowns as well as radioactive contamination of air, sea and food. The incident, which is regarded as the world’s worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl in 1986, also led to the evacuation of 160,000 people.

Japan has been struggling to contain leaks of radioactive groundwater.

Meltdowns and hydrogen explosions destroyed four reactors. The two remaining reactors did not face serious damage and authorities allowed TEPCO to carry the facilities as an asset on its balance sheet.

Meanwhile, the Japanese premier said TEPCO President Naomi Hirose has pledged that the company will decide on the decommissioning of the two reactors within the year.

Hirose has also promised to finish treating contaminated water at Fukushima by March 2015, Abe said.