28th January 2026
A Japanese government delegation toured key nuclear, engineering and technology sites in Cumbria as part of a fact-finding mission linked to the continued clean-up at Fukishima Daiichi.
Representatives from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) visited the Sellafield site and spent time with Sellafield Ltd before embarking on a series of supply chain visits organised by the Industrial Solutions Hub (iSH).
During the visit, the delegation met with partners including the Sellafield Engineering Centre of Excellence, Cumberland Council to discuss regeneration, and the Resolve Engineered Solutions Consortium. Resolve is made up of four companies – Forth, React Engineering, Core Nuclear Solutions and COMS.
The programme of events was designed to showcase Cumbria’s technical capabilities, with a focus on advancements in nuclear decommissioning, regeneration and supply-chain collaboration.
KAGA Yoshihiro, Director, Nuclear Accident Response Office at METI, said: “We are working to make progress in decommissioning the entire Fukushima Daiichi site, but at the same time we are also focused on regeneration, reconstructing the area after the extensive damage caused by the accident. Our goal is to ensure that reconstruction and decommissioning progress hand-in-hand and what you are doing here aligns closely with that approach.
“That is why we came: to observe your work, understand your methods and take away insights that we can apply or adapt for our own activities back in Japan. That is the purpose of this visit.
“So far, we have learned a great deal. What has impressed us is how you have brought together both human and financial resources to support this area. You have launched significant initiatives, attracted a range of companies, both large and small, and communicated your vision very effectively.”
The programme also included visits to Createc and RAICo1, a collaboration involving UKAEA and other nuclear organisations, alongside a dinner with local nuclear industry stakeholders.
The METI delegates were particularly interested in the Resolve Consortium as a unique example of SME collaboration to bid for and deliver contracts.
Miranda Kirschel, Programme Director at iSH, said: “We were delighted the delegation were able to spend some time with us and see the capability we discussed with them when we were out in Japan last year.
“Sellafield and its supply chain have world-leading expertise and the companies based here have a great deal to offer our Japanese counterparts as they continue the clean-up of the Fukushima Daiichi site. It has been a fantastic opportunity to grow our relationship with them.
“Through iSH, we have been able to demonstrate how the creation of our three industrial clusters – robotics, manufacturing and digital – will not only support nuclear decommissioning activity, but also ensure our communities have the right skills to access the next generation of jobs. Many of these roles are very different from traditional nuclear decommissioning positions and it’s vital we prepare for that change now.”
The delegation also heard about investment being delivered through the Cleator Moor Town Deal, including plans for the iSH Enterprise Campus, which will provide new facilities to support innovation, skills development and business growth in West Cumbria.
Craig Branney, who hosted the delegation at the Sellafield Engineering Centre of Excellence, said: “It was a real privilege to welcome our colleagues from Japan to the Sellafield Engineering Centre of Excellence and to share how we are approaching the challenges of large-scale nuclear decommissioning.
“At Sellafield, we are committed not only to making safe, timely progress in decommissioning the site, but also to doing so in a way that strengthens the local economy and builds long-term capability. A key part of that is working much more closely with our supply chain — investing in skills, innovation and collaboration, and creating an environment where organisations of all sizes can contribute and thrive.
“Visits like this are incredibly valuable. They allow us to exchange ideas, learn from international experience and test our own thinking, while also demonstrating how partnership, shared purpose and sustained investment can support both decommissioning and wider regeneration.”
This visit underlines Cumbria’s reputation as a global centre of excellence for nuclear decommissioning, innovation and skills development.
By fostering strong international partnerships and investing in cutting-edge technology and talent, the region is not only supporting safe and effective clean-up operations but also building a sustainable economic future for its communities.
As challenges in nuclear decommissioning evolve worldwide, Cumbria’s collaborative approach continues to offer valuable insights and solutions that can be shared across borders.
