Government asks city of Hitachiomiya to accept nuclear waste site survey
If realized, Hitachiomiya would become the fifth site in the country to accept such a survey.
The industry ministry of Japan requested the city of Hitachiomiya in Ibaraki Prefecture to accept a survey for determining a final disposal site for high-level radioactive waste from nuclear power plants. If approved, Hitachiomiya would be the fifth location in Japan to undergo such a survey, following Suttsu and Kamoenai in Hokkaido, Genkai in Saga Prefecture, and Minamitorishima, a remote island in the Pacific.
This is the second instance of the central government seeking approval for the survey without a prior request from local communities.
Senior ministry officials visited Hitachiomiya and presented a written request to Mayor Sadayuki Suzuki. Mayor Suzuki expressed a positive view towards the request, stating his intention to make a final decision after consulting with the city assembly. Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa acknowledged Suzuki's serious consideration of the state's request and mentioned the intention to approach additional municipalities for literature surveys to expand the selected areas.
Hitachiomiya, situated in the northwestern region of Ibaraki Prefecture, borders Tochigi Prefecture. The city was included in a scientific features map released by the central government in 2017, indicating a relatively high likelihood of possessing favorable features for a final disposal facility, such as the absence of nearby volcanoes or active faults. Despite being landlocked, parts of Hitachiomiya are located approximately 20 kilometers from the coast, providing a logistical advantage for transportation purposes.
The literature survey, the initial stage of a three-tier selection process, is designed to assess potential impacts of volcanoes and faults through geological maps and scientific research over a duration of about two years. The consent of the prefectural governor and heads of relevant municipalities is necessary to advance to the subsequent stages of preliminary and detailed investigations.
The entire selection process is projected to span approximately 20 years. Ibaraki Governor Kazuhiko Oigawa indicated his intention to closely monitor the city of Hitachiomiya's response to the government's request.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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