Saga Prefecture's Genkai Town Considers Accepting Literature Survey for "Nuclear Waste" Disposal Site

In Genkai-cho, Saga Prefecture, three local organizations submitted a petition to the prefectural assembly requesting the acceptance of a preliminary literature survey for the selection of a final disposal site for high-level radioactive waste, also known as "nuclear waste", generated from nuclear power plants. The adoption of this petition has sparked debate over whether to accept the literature survey.

Nuclear waste emits strong radiation for tens of thousands of years, and it is legally mandated to be disposed of by burying it at least 300 meters underground. The process of selecting a disposal site involves three stages: a literature survey, a preliminary survey, and a detailed survey.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) officially requested Genkai-cho to conduct a literature survey during a visit on the 1st. Currently, only two municipalities in Hokkaido, namely Kamienai Village and Shukotsu-cho, are undertaking literature surveys. METI appears to have sought cooperation from Genkai-cho in an effort to identify a new region that would accept a literature survey.

Mayor Wakiyama stated, "We take the assembly's adoption of the petition seriously and will further examine the situation before deciding on a course of action." He has indicated that he will decide on whether to accept the literature survey by mid-May.

However, protests are ongoing around the Genkai-cho town hall. Residents from nearby Karatsu City and Itoshima City, Fukuoka Prefecture, have held demonstrations, chanting slogans like, "Don't dump dangerous nuclear waste in the countryside." One resident criticized the decision, saying, "It's inconceivable to bring nuclear waste from all over the country to a municipality hosting a nuclear power plant and bury it underground. The opinions of local residents were completely disregarded."

Literature surveys are conducted either when a local government voluntarily applies or when it accepts a government request. In 2007, Toyo-cho, Kochi Prefecture, became the first municipality nationwide to apply for a literature survey. However, due to conflicts among residents, the mayor was replaced, and the application was ultimately withdrawn. After the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, opportunities for public discussion on this topic were scarce until 2015 when the government introduced a system for requesting literature surveys.

On the 7th, Mayor Wakiyama met with Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Saito in Tokyo, stating, "The final disposal site is a crucial issue, and we wish to deepen our understanding." He indicated his willingness to continue discussions with the minister.

The Japanese government insists that the nuclear waste issue is a national challenge, not just a local one, and urges other regions to consider it. Since Kyushu Electric Power operates a nuclear power plant in Genkai-cho, conducting a disposal site survey in a municipality hosting a nuclear power plant would be a first in Japan.