Japan aims to speed up Fukushima clean-up amid setbacks The Japanese government along with the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) are aiming to speed up the removal of spent fuel rods from two of the reactors at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. They announced a revised timetable to eventually decommission all four reactors damaged by the earthquake and tsunami which struck the area in 2011. Technological advances such as robots are required, which can be operated remotely. Work would begin at the earliest in 2020. Last Wednesday TEPCO found a leak of contaminated water, and one week before they discovered radioactive material in the groundwater flowing into the plant. It marks another setback for the company as it tries to reassure the public of its ability to handle the clean-up. More about: Fukushima, Japan, Nuclear accidents, Nuclear Energy