Fujikura detects soil contamination at planned factory site in Sakura

Fujikura has announced the detection of soil contamination at its Sakura Works in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, where the company plans to construct new factories. Soil surveys conducted across 245 plots within the approximately 29,228 square meter construction area revealed levels of fluorine, its compounds, and lead that exceed standards set by the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Act.

Chiba Prefecture has designated one plot as a “required action area” due to potential health risks, while 16 other plots have been designated as “areas requiring notification upon change of land character.” The contamination was found at a maximum depth of 0.6 meters, and the cause remains unidentified.

Fujikura stated that the affected areas are currently covered by concrete or resin sheets, preventing the spread of soil or runoff into rainwater. Groundwater testing at onsite wells showed levels below detection limits, indicating no current impact on the surrounding environment. The company plans to remove the contaminated soil and replace it with healthy soil.

Despite the findings, Fujikura expects the impact on the construction schedule for its new fiber optic and SWR next-generation factories to be minimal. These facilities, representing combined investments of approximately 85 billion yen, are intended to meet growing demand for optical fiber cables in the generative AI data center market.