The operator of a nuclear power plant in central Japan has invited media outlets to witness the first dismantling of a commercial reactor in Japan.



Chubu Electric Power Company began decommissioning the No. 1 and No. 2 reactors at the Hamaoka nuclear power plant in Shizuoka Prefecture in 2009. Workers began dismantling the No. 2 reactor last month.



On Tuesday, observers looking through a window of the No. 2 reactor building could see a large machine cut through the steel lid of the pressure vessel.



The lid was about 6 meters in diameter and about 3 meters in height.



Chubu Electric aims to finish dismantling the two reactor units by fiscal 2035, and complete the decommissioning process in fiscal 2042.



The operator estimates the process will generate around 20,000 tons of radioactive waste, including metal and concrete. A disposal site has not been chosen yet, but Chubu Electric says the waste will be stored in a container that seals in radiation. The container will be kept under the reactor building.



A Hamaoka plant senior official, Hori Masayoshi, said the operator will take concrete steps to ensure the safety of the workers and the local residents. He also said a disposal site for the waste is still under consideration.