Robot Retrieves First Radioactive Fuel Sample from Fukushima Reactor

This milestone marks a critical step in the long-term decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

The remote-controlled robot, named Telesco, collected a small piece of melted fuel from the No. 2 reactor's containment vessel.
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) confirmed the sample retrieval, a first since the 2011 meltdown.
The mission faced delays due to procedural issues and equipment malfunctions, extending its timeline beyond the initial two-week plan.
Approximately 880 tons of radioactive molten fuel remain in the reactors, highlighting the complexity of the decommissioning process.
Experts consider the 30 to 40-year cleanup target set by the government and TEPCO to be overly optimistic.