Nuclear security

Japan Raises Estimate for 2011 Nuclear Accident to $200 Billion

Japan said Friday that it expects the total cost of the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident to reach about $200 billion, nearly double earlier projections, spurring plans for further restructuring of the Fukushima plant’s operator.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said it estimated the cost of compensating communities affected by the accident in 2011 would reach ¥8 trillion ($70 billion), up from a previous estimate of ¥5 trillion, while decontamination costs were projected to rise to ¥6 trillion from ¥4 trillion. Meanwhile, a ministry-appointed expert panel said that removing radioactive debris would cost ¥8 trillion, quadruple the earlier projection.