From recovery to resilience: Designing a sustainable future for Fukushima

Nuclear decommissioning projects could use robots and remote-controlled technology to dismantle the contaminated parts of the plant in order to enhance decommissioning safety . National and prefectural governments initiated a range of initiatives, including R&D in the decommissioning and robot industries . Promoting industry clusters in Fukushima’s coastal area is at the core of the Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework . Expectation is high that the JPY 8 trillion (USD 77 billion) being spent on decommissioning will benefit local firms while ensuring a safe and rapid decommissioning process . However, engaging local firms in these world-class technology developments remains a challenge . Universities and research institutions are particularly relevant, as Fukushima’s industry faces shortages in engineering, technical and business capabilities in contributing to the decommissioning projects . Developing a decommissioning-industry cluster with strong local participation is crucial in this regard . local firms scale, specialisation and networks to access tendering . Few contracts were established with local firms, with the exception of a dismantling project undertaken from July 2019 to April 2020 . Most mid-sized firms who took up contracts with TEPCO are from other regions . Despite the potential market from the decommissioning, local firms risk missing out on these opportunities to revamp the local economy . the long-term benefits of engaging local businesses and developing an ecosystem that provides skills and services necessary for the decommissioning projects . An information gap exists between local firms and TEPCO (and its affiliated companies), and there is a lack of educational institutes and incubators to increase the science-base to steer innovation and foster entrepreneurship . Retaining relevant talent and skills, especially among young people, is a key to long-term development . Improving local public services and facilitating access to jobs will attract young people to Fukushima . economic reconstruction strategy for Fukushima the decommissioning of the Fukushima the main of local employment . if the decommissioning projects are only based on TEPCO and other government-dependent resources, efforts to foster innovative industry clusters and make the region attractive again could fall short . Instead, national and regional policies should the decommissioning projects as a catalyst for inclusive growth in broader sectors . the of where to public facilities, industry clusters) regional the the