Fukushima Daiichi NPS Prompt Report 2015

Comfortable surroundings with hot cooked meals and space to unwind is a major upgrade for workers, and an economic boost to the community

FUKUSHIMA, Japan, June 1 -An expansive new facility to provide Fukushima Daiichi workers with hot meals, a place to relax, and an opportunity to socialize was unveiled today by the Tokyo Electric Power Company.

The new facility will also help revitalize the local community by employing local residents and even by using appliances made by companies that operate manufacturing plants in Fukushima.

"This facility represents fulfillment of our pledge to provide better working conditions for the people who have been working so hard at Fukushima Daiichi." said Plant Chief Akira Ono. "I'm glad that by the start of providing warm meal to our workers, their health would be more secured, and communication enhanced."

Hot Meals on Wheels

The services offered are expected to improve working conditions dramatically. At lunch, maximum approximately 3,000 meals a day will be cooked and transported to the rest house hot via specially insulated truck from the kitchen at the Fukushima Revitalization Meal Service Center within about 30 minutes, potentially replacing the "bag" lunches for nearly half the workers on any given day.

At the Meal Service Center itself, nearly 100 people will be employed, nearly all of them from Fukushima and 19 of them from Futaba County, where Fukushima Daiichi is located.

In addition to improving the workers' quality of life and contributing to the local economy, the food service will help demonstrate the safety and wholesomeness of locally sourced ingredients from Fukushima Prefecture.

Rest Areas, Socializing

Beyond food, the rest house will provide spacious room to rest and relax, recreational facilities, and an opportunity for workers to socialize with each other. It represents the first time since the 3/11 accident that a rest house designed for offering hot meals has been provided for the workers, and is expected to improve morale and, by providing more rested and focused workers, overall safety for the decommissioning work.

Key statistics:
-Building type: steel, nine stories tall
-Total floor space: 6,407.09 square meters
-Contractor: Taisei Corporation

The building sits at the western edge of the Fukushima Daiichi property.

Photos and videos of the new facility are seen at http://photo.tepco.co.jp/en/date/2015/201506-e/150601-01e.html

About TEPCO

Tokyo Electric Power Company, Inc. (TEPCO) is Japan's largest power company, supplying energy to the greater Kanto area, including Japan's two most populous cities, Tokyo and Yokohama. Its 34,000 employees are committed to providing safe, reliable power to its 29.0 million customers, diversifying energy resources to ensure sustainability, and contributing to economic growth while fully meeting its responsibilities after the Fukushima Daiichi accident.
TEPCO Website: http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/index-e.html
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