FUKUSHIMA -- A robotic arm that will be used to remove melted nuclear fuel from the No. 2 reactor of the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant was unveiled to the media in Naraha, Fukushima Prefecture, on Friday.
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. plans to begin removing a few grams of nuclear fuel debris on a test basis within this fiscal year after final adjustments are made.
Nuclear fuel debris was generated as a result of the 2011 meltdowns in the Nos. 1-3 reactors. The No. 2 reactor, where TEPCO's probes have progressed, is the first from which the company plans to remove debris. The robotic arm has been developed by the International Research Institute for Nuclear Decommissioning (IRID) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
