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Plans to clear debris at Fukushima Daiichi unit 1, new radiation measuring technology and a large anti-nuclear protest were among the developments of note this week in Japan.

Recent news related to Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s reactors severely damaged in 2011 includes:

Debris Removal Slated for Next Year

In early 2015, TEPCO plans to begin clearing the debris at Fukushima unit 1 in preparation for the removal of its spent fuel, Jiji Press reported. TEPCO representatives told local government officials Monday the work will involve removing a temporary cover placed over the reactor building damaged by a hydrogen explosion early in the crisis. That process is expected to take a year. Preparations to begin removing fuel assemblies from the unit's spent fuel pool are planned to be complete in 2017.

Technology Cuts Cesium Analysis Time

Japan is soon expected to make use of a new technology that can measure cesium significantly faster than current methods. The Asahi Shimbun reported that Kajima Corp. and Nikkin Flux Inc. developed a nine-foot-long device that will be used to examine radioactive soil and debris from cleanup efforts in the countryside surrounding the plant. It can also analyze water and is capable of measuring the cesium levels of more than 900 gallons in 20 minutes, which is hundreds of times faster than the methods currently in use.

16,000 Protest Plant Restarts

Tuesday saw a large anti-nuclear protest in Tokyo, where the Mainichi Daily News reported that 16,000 people rallied in a park. All of Japan's power reactors are currently offline, and earlier this month Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority conditionally approved the restart of two reactors in Sendai. Meanwhile, Japanese leaders this week sought to reassure international leaders of the country's commitment to plant safety. During a forum at the United Nations, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe promised that reactors will not be allowed to operate unless their safety is established. While at the International Atomic Energy Agency, Science and Technology Minister Shunichi Yamaguchi reaffirmed that plants meeting safety standards will be allowed to restart.