The operator of Japan’s troubled Fukushima nuclear plant hired on Tuesday its first new employees since the disaster.

Tokyo Electric Power Co. refrained from hiring workers after the nuclear disaster three years ago.

But 380 fresh graduates have joined the embattled utility.

President Naomi Hirose told them not to be negative but to work hard to face the many challenges ahead.

Tokyo Electric continues to struggle with the buildup of contaminated water at Fukushima Daiichi.

Decommissioning the damaged nuclear reactors is expected to take decades and cost billions of dollars.

It’s a job that could take the young workers their entire lives.