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Photos: Waste disposal crisis inside the Fukushima exclusion zone

March 9, 2015 10:03AM ET

Four years after the nuclear disaster, a struggle to deal with 30 million tons of radioactive debris

Topics:
Environment
Fukushima
Japan
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japan Fukushima nuclear debris
A portion of the thirty million tons of radiated soil, leaves and other debris that has been collected since the March 11, 2011 accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant lies on a beach in the exclusion zone. Toru Hanai / Reuters
japan Fukushima nuclear debris
The giant plastic bags holding the debris have collected on fields, beaches, parking lots and other places inside the exclusion zone. Toru Hanai / Reuters
japan Fukushima nuclear debris
A plan to build a more permanent disposal site near Okuma, a town in the exclusion zone, has angered its former residents. In this photo, evacuated residents gather at a town hall meeting, Feb. 17, 2015. Toru Hanai / Reuters
japan Fukushima nuclear debris
In the town of Okuma, a classroom stands essentially untouched since the day of the disaster, Feb. 23, 2015. Toru Hanai / Reuters
japan Fukushima nuclear debris
Norio Kimura, 49, who lost his father, wife and daughter in the disaster, shows photos of his daughter at a temple in Okuma. He still searches the local beach for his daughter’s remains, entering the exclusion zone for the maximum time allowed, five hours a day. Toru Hanai / Reuters
japan Fukushima nuclear debris
An overview of the temporary housing complex where evacuated residents of Okuma live. Toru Hanai / Reuters
japan Fukushima nuclear debris
Decontamination workers remove radiated soil and leaves from a forest near the damaged plant, Feb. 24, 2015. Toru Hanai / Reuters
japan Fukushima nuclear debris
Heavy equipment clears debris in the exclusion zone, Feb. 24, 2015. Toru Hanai / Reuters
japan Fukushima nuclear debris
Fukushima's governor agreed to the six-square-mile waste facility after Tokyo promised to take the waste out of the prefecture after 30 years, but residents are still dubious. Toru Hanai / Reuters