AdvertisementAdvertisementEast AsiaA robotic arm demonstrates the removal of melted nuclear fuel debris during a simulation at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company, in Naraha Town, Fukushima Prefecture on Feb 25, 2026. (Photo: AFP)26 Feb 2026 07:52PM (Updated: 26 Feb 2026 07:56PM) Bookmark Bookmark WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedInAdd CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results.Read a summary of this article on FAST.Get bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST TOKYO: A 22m robot arm will help remove a third sample of radioactive debris from inside Japan's stricken Fukushima nuclear plant, its operator said on Thursday (Feb 26), as it unveiled the snake-like device.Dangerously high radiation levels make removing melted fuel and other debris from the plant hit by a huge tsunami in 2011 the most daunting challenge in the decades-long decommissioning project.Around 880 tonnes of hazardous material remain inside the power station, the site of one of the world's worst nuclear accidents after a tsunami was triggered by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake.A four-minute video released on Wednesday by plant operator the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) showed a snake-like robot arm - measuring 22m and weighing about 4.6 tonnes - moving through small tunnel-like passages and inspecting complex structures within a confined space.The robot is equipped with a camera and "is better at retrieving information" than previous devices used, company spokesman Isao Ito told AFP.TEPCO plans to use the robot later this year to conduct its third trial debris removal operation at one of the melted reactors in the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, he said.Tiny samples of radioactive material have twice been collected under a trial project using special tools, but full-fledged extractions have yet to take place.TEPCO announced in July that the massive operation to remove debris had been delayed until at least 2037. The company previously said it hoped to start in the early 2030s.Japan restarts world's biggest nuclear plant againNuclear power at heart of new Japan PM's energy policySource: AFP/dcNewsletterWeek in ReviewSubscribe to our Chief Editor’s Week in ReviewOur chief editor shares analysis and picks of the week's biggest news every Saturday.NewsletterMorning BriefSubscribe to CNA’s Morning BriefAn automated curation of our top stories to start your day.Sign up for our newslettersGet our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inboxSubscribe hereGet the CNA appStay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best storiesDownload hereGet WhatsApp alertsJoin our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat appJoin hereAlso worth readingContent is loading...Expand to read the full storyGet bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST