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Japan Eyes Remote Island for Nuclear Waste
3 Mar
Summary
- Japan government requests survey for nuclear waste site.
- Minamitori Island is uninhabited, state-owned, and remote.
- Disposal requires bedrock storage for tens of thousands of years.
The Japanese government has formally requested permission to survey Minamitori Island for its suitability as an underground disposal site for high-level radioactive waste. Submitted to the Ogasawara municipality, this marks the country's fourth survey initiative.
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization is already conducting initial surveys in Hokkaido and Saga Prefecture. These first-stage assessments examine land conditions and volcanic activity using existing geological data.
Finding a long-term solution for nuclear waste has proven challenging for Japan. Previous exploration in Kochi and Nagasaki Prefectures failed due to a lack of local agreement.
High-level radioactive waste, generated from spent nuclear fuel reprocessing, demands secure storage in bedrock at depths of at least 300 meters. This isolation is crucial for tens of thousands of years until radioactivity diminishes to safe levels.
Minamitori Island, located approximately 1,900 kilometers southeast of Tokyo, is uninhabited, with only military and government personnel present. The entire island is state-owned, offering potential for both underground disposal and above-ground facilities.
Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa emphasized transparency, promising to brief Ogasawara residents to foster understanding and cooperation. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike stated she is closely monitoring the mayor's decision.
