Until now, Ichinoseki had temporarily buried and stored decontaminated soil at 366 public facilities within the city, including parks, sports facilities, and educational institutions. In March 2025, however, the national government formulated the Guidelines for Landfill Disposal of Removed Soil Outside Fukushima Prefecture. Based on these guidelines, the city decided to proceed with permanent landfill disposal of the soil and released an outline of the project on its website in December last year.
Under the current project, two sites within the city have been designated as disposal locations: the multipurpose athletic field at Hanaizumi Sports Park and a materials storage yard at the Murone Branch Office. The construction period is scheduled to run through March 2026, with project costs set at JPY 5.44 million for fiscal 2025. From the next fiscal year onward, the city plans to prioritize the relocation and disposal of decontaminated soil from facilities frequently used by children, such as educational institutions.
Decontaminated soil has attracted public attention in recent years. In July 2025, soil stored at the interim storage facilities spanning Okuma and Futaba towns in Fukushima Prefecture was reused in locations such as flower beds at the Prime Minister’s Office and on the premises of government ministries in the Kasumigaseki district, prompting widespread social debate.
According to the national guidelines, decontaminated soil generated outside Fukushima Prefecture with relatively low concentrations of radioactive cesium does not, in principle, require special measures such as containment in vessels or the installation of impermeable barriers, from the standpoint of preventing groundwater contamination. At the same time, the guidelines require the implementation of control measures—such as water spraying and covering with sheets—to prevent the dispersion or runoff of dust during landfill operations. Consideration must also be given to preventing adverse impacts on the surrounding living environment due to odors, noise, or vibration.
In addition, landfill sites must be enclosed and clearly marked to indicate that they are disposal locations for decontaminated soil. After completion of the work, the openings must be covered with approximately 30 centimeters or more of soil or similar material. The city is also obligated to conduct periodic measurements of ambient dose rates at the site boundaries and to prepare and retain records on the quantity and radioactivity levels of the disposed soil.
