Great East Japan Earthquake Information Page

• Japanese

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

• [January 31, 2013] Great East Japan Earthquake Information Page - Full Update including New Sections
• [November 29, 2012] Technical information provided to specialists and local authorities on waste contaminated by radioactive substances:
  [Proper treatment of wastes contaminated by radioactive substances (English version)] 
• [October 18, 2012] [The 10th Environmental Research Symposium – Disasters and the Environment “Protect, Prepare, Overcome!”(English)],
  [This symposium is now finished. A report can be found [HERE](Japanese only)]

2.Main

Great East Japan Earthquake Information Page

•  Ⅰ.Initiatives at the National Institute for Environmental Studies
  •  1.Appropriate treatment and disposal of disaster waste and waste contaminated by radioactive substances
  •  2.Clarifying behaviors for radioactive substances in multimedia (atmosphere, soil, water, plants, organisms and ecosystems, etc.)
  •  3.Studies and projections on environmental change originating from the disaster and associated effects
  •  4.Details of research outcomes presented at the NIES Public Symposium
  •  5.An Overview of Research on Disaster Environment
  •  6.Other
    •  (1) Tsukuba City radioactive substances and radiation measurements
    •  (2) Research outcomes etc., from NIES researchers (Presented prior to the occurrence of the Great East Japan Earthquake)
    •  (3) Kankyo Tenbodai (Environmental Observatory), search service for disaster information relating to environment in environmental information media
•  Ⅱ. Information Sources Related to the Disaster