Only SDF nuke responders to stay on in zone

Most Self-Defense Forces personnel still engaged in disaster relief are likely to leave the quake and tsunami zone by the end of the month, except for a team tackling the nuclear crisis in Fukushima Prefecture, according to government sources.

Top Defense Ministry officials are discussing the withdrawal plan after deploying as many as 107,000 service members at the peak of the operation, making it the biggest SDF effort since the founding of the forces in 1954.

The SDF had already completed its mission in Iwate and Miyagi prefectures by Aug. 1.

About 150 Ground Self-Defense Force personnel will continue working on the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. The unit provides decontamination services for evacuees when they return temporarily to their homes in the no-go zone or restricted areas.

As of Tuesday, the SDF had about 1,500 members from all three branches along with some 50 aircraft and four ships in the region largely in case of emergencies in the event of aftershocks.

Some GSDF personnel were also working in the hardest-hit prefecture of Fukushima, providing bathing services for evacuees staying at two shelters in the cities of Koriyama and Fukushima.

The Defense Ministry is currently holding talks with the Fukushima Prefectural Government about withdrawing those troops.

The nuclear crisis team that will stay beyond this month has been preparing for any emergencies that might break out before the badly damaged reactors achieve cold shutdown, a senior SDF Joint Staff member said.

SDF personnel from across the country were rushed to the region at the request of governors of seven prefectures right after the March 11 disaster hit.

The SDF rescued about 19,000 people in the first week and has searched for the thousands missing and helped survivors by providing meals, drinking water and other daily necessities.

Fukushima — Excessive levels of radioactive cesium have been found in sludge in a gutter at the Fukushima District Court's Aizuwakamatsu branch, about 100 km west of the crippled No. 1 nuclear plant.

The isotope in the sludge measured about 186,000 becquerels per kg, the court said Tuesday, adding it plans to remove the sludge after consulting with local governments.

Under current government standards, sludge can be used in a landfill providing radioactive cesium does not exceed 8,000 becquerels per kilogram.

The court said it has restricted access to the area where the sludge was sampled, along with another location where radiation levels were high, but stressed that the court's business has not been disrupted.

The nuclear plant, operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co., has spewed massive amounts of radioactive materials into the air, ocean and land since March 11.

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