In a groundbreaking move, the mayor of Genkai Town in Saga Prefecture has announced that they will accept a literature survey on high-level radioactive waste disposal, marking the first step in the selection process for the final disposal site of nuclear waste. Mayor Shinataro Wakiyama made the announcement on May 10, becoming the first mayor of a nuclear power plant host municipality to accept the government’s offer to conduct the literature survey.
The literature survey is part of the process to select a site for the final disposal of high-level radioactive waste generated by nuclear power plants. This decision by Mayor Wakiyama has significant implications for the future of nuclear waste disposal in Japan.
The move has sparked mixed reactions, with some residents and activists opposing the acceptance of the literature survey. However, Mayor Wakiyama’s decision is seen as a proactive step towards addressing the issue of nuclear waste disposal in the region.
The acceptance of the literature survey by Genkai Town sets a precedent for other municipalities hosting nuclear power plants to consider similar steps in the future. It also highlights the complex and challenging process of nuclear waste disposal in Japan, a country heavily reliant on nuclear energy.
As the debate on nuclear waste disposal continues, Mayor Wakiyama’s decision will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the future of nuclear energy in Japan and the management of high-level radioactive waste.