Great East Japan Earthquake Information Page
The National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) continues to extend our sincerest sympathies to all the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake. At NIES, we began activities to contribute to the recovery and restoration of the disaster zone, establishing the Disaster Recovery and Restoration Headquarters in the immediate aftermath of the disaster.
Specifically, we linked up with Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ) and local authorities etc., in the disaster zone to provide technical support relating to disposal of disaster waste from Tsunami deposits. We have also carried out surveys and research on the treatment and disposal of waste contaminated with radioactive substances, as well as providing general scientific expertise.
In addition, we have pursued research aimed at establishing the actual circumstances and clarifying the dynamics of radioactive substances in the environment (atmosphere, water, soil, organisms and ecosystems, etc.) which were released from the Fukushima No.1 Nuclear Power Plant.
We continue to implement various surveys and research with environmental research institutes in the disaster zone, including studies and projections on environmental change originating from the disaster and the associated influence. We also actively exchange data and information with environmental research institutes and local authorities throughout the country.
Note: reference materials and links provided below are only available in Japanese unless otherwise indicated.
1. Current Updates
- 2013-1-31Great East Japan Earthquake Information Page - Full Update including New Sections
2.Main
Ⅰ. Initiatives at the National Institute for Environmental Studies
NIES is currently advancing efforts and contributing to the various issues relating to the Great East Japan Earthquake from the standpoint of environmental research making use of its network of researchers.
Details of the main initiatives which are currently being implemented are given below
- Ⅰ-1.Appropriate treatment and disposal of disaster waste and waste contaminated by radioactive substance
- Ⅰ-2. Clarifying behaviors for radioactive substances in multimedia (atmosphere, soil, water, plants, organisms and ecosystems, etc.)
- Ⅰ-3. Studies and projections on environmental change originating from the disaster and associated effects
- Ⅰ-4. Details of research outcomes presented at the NIES Public Symposium
- Ⅰ-5. An Overview of Research on Disaster Environment
- Ⅰ-6. (1) Tsukuba City radioactive substances and radiation measurements
- Ⅰ-6. (2) Research outcomes etc., from NIES researchers (Presented prior to the occurrence of the Great East Japan Earthquake)
- Ⅰ-6. (3) Kankyo Tenbodai (Environmental Observatory), search service for disaster information relating to environment in environmental information media