Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant: Location and Significance

The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant sits on the Pacific coast of Honshu, in Ōkuma Town, Futaba District, Fukushima Prefecture, approximately 250 km (155 mi) northeast of Tokyo.

Geographic Details

• Coordinates: 37°25′17″N 141°01′57″E
• Elevation: 10–30 m above sea level
• Site area: 3.5 km² (860 acres)
• Reactors: 6 boiling water reactors (BWR), 4.7 GW total (Units 1–4 operational in 2011)

Why This Location?

• Seawater cooling – abundant for condenser circuits
• Low population density (pre-2011) – regulatory preference
• Grid access – major transmission corridors to Tokyo
• Geology – assumed stable; later found near active faults

Post-2011 Status

The Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami (11 March 2011) caused meltdowns in Units 1–3, hydrogen explosions, and massive radiation release. Decommissioning (30–40 year timeline) includes:

• Fuel debris retrieval (ongoing)
• Treated water storage (1,000+ tanks; ALPS-treated release began 2023)
• Contaminated soil management
• Units 5–6 cold shutdown; not restarting

Sister Plant

Fukushima Daini (11 km south, Naraha) – 4 BWRs, all cold-shutdown 2011; decommissioning decided 2019.