Members of the NEA Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Accident Information Collection and Evaluation (FACE) Project convened from 13 to 16 May 2025 in Daejeon, Korea, to discuss the ongoing work on the accident analysis. Hosted by the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) and the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS), this gathering brought together approximately 90 leading experts from NEA member countries. The meeting served as a platform to share findings from post-accident investigations, discuss technical developments, and chart the course for future research efforts.
The programme also featured a field visit to KAERI facilities, including HANARO, ATLAS, and SPARC, offering participants a unique insight into advanced nuclear research infrastructure.
Key topics and highlights
Driving forward severe accident management: Insights from the FRAME workshop
The meeting commenced with a comprehensive overview of the recent FRAME (Future Research for Accident Management Enhancement in Operating and Future Reactors, Informed by Fukushima Daiichi Insights) workshop outcomes. Focused on severe accident management, the workshop identified critical research gaps and pathways for enhancing emergency preparedness and mitigation strategies across reactor designs, including advanced ones, based on the lessons learnt from the Fukushima Daiichi accident.
Findings from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident and advances in technical modelling
Experts from Japan, led by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), presented the latest investigation results concerning Units 1–3 at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Discussions included detailed analyses of fuel debris samples, new insights into hydrogen explosion mechanisms, iodine release modelling dynamics, and the application of novel data to refine severe accident modelling. Progress in simulations of ex-vessel phenomena and complex in-containment behaviours — employing advanced tools — demonstrated significant strides toward reducing uncertainties and improving predictive capabilities.
Progress in international collaborative research: Round-Robin Debris Analysis Activity (RRDAA)
On 16 May, the second International Symposium on the Round-Robin Debris Analysis Activity (RRDAA) took place alongside the FACE meeting. Participating laboratories from Canada (CNL), Czechia (CVR), Japan (JAEA), Korea (KAERI) and the United Kingdom (NNL) shared results from collaborative analyses of simulated fuel debris. Discussions covered topics such as corium’s physical and chemical behaviour, operational challenges in debris cutting, and mechanisms of radioactive aerosol generation and transport — advancing shared understanding vital for safe decommissioning.
Strengthening global collaboration for nuclear safety
Throughout the meeting sessions, participants highlighted the importance of international co-operation and knowledge exchange under the FACE framework. Building on the successes of preceding projects like BSAF, PreADES, and ARC-F, FACE Project continues to support the safe and effective decommissioning of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.
