The NEA integrated response to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident

The 11 March 2011 earthquake and massive tsunami that struck the eastern coast of Japan, and ultimately resulted in the core-melt accidents of Fukushima Daiichi units 1-3 and serious cooling problems in the spent fuel pool of unit 4, have left an enormous challenge for the Japanese authorities to address and remediate. For the international nuclear safety community, questions abound as to what lessons can be drawn from this tragic accident to enhance the safety of current and future nuclear power plants worldwide, and to improve emergency response arrangements and strategies on the national and international levels. In the immediate aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi accident, NEA member and associated countries looked to the NEA to bring together experts to begin addressing some of the lessons emerging from the accident.