Securing High-Level Waste Disposal is a Necessity for a Strong Economy

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Finally, the country is seeing positive movement in the search for a geological disposal site for high-level radioactive waste (HLW). This is good news since the search process has been at a standstill.

A literature survey is the first step in the search for an HLW disposal site. Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryosei Akazawa recently asked the village of Ogasawara to allow a survey of Minamitorishima Island. 

If Akazawa's request is accepted, it will be the fourth literature review case. Hopefully, the government's request will be approved.

Ogasawara Village is the seat of government for the 30 Pacific islands in the Ogasawara Archipelago. The Ogasawara Islands are officially a sub-prefecture of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, although they are located 1,600 kilometers from Japan's capital. 

How HLW Disposal Works

Geological disposal is an internationally established method for the contained storage of HLW, also known as nuclear waste. Safety is ensured by combining multiple barriers in stable bedrock more than 300 meters underground.

Already a quarter of a century has passed since the Nuclear Waste Management Organization of Japan began searching for a suitable disposal site. However, so far, only three locations have agreed to a literature survey of geological data and documents. These are Suttsu Town and Kamoenai Village in Hokkaido, and Genkai Town in Saga Prefecture.

Moreover, in the two Hokkaido locations, the process is at a crossroads, pending decisions on whether to proceed to the next stage, which involves carrying out investigation summaries (outline surveys). That is because the governor of Hokkaido must agree before the national government can proceed to the next step.

To select an ideal site with optimal geological conditions, a literature review should first be conducted on around 10 candidate locations. After that, the selection process must narrow down the list to one site.

Surveys Needed for Optimal Site

Literature surveys have so far been conducted in only three locations, far too few. So, the challenge is how to increase the number of survey samples. 

If Ogasawara Village agrees to Akazawa's request, that could lead to a breakthrough in this stagnant situation. 

Naturally, the national government should take the lead. Ultimately, it is the government's responsibility to steadily promote a sound nuclear energy policy, including securing final disposal sites.

The island of Minamitorishima is located on the extremely stable Pacific Plate. It is also classified as a relatively favorable geological disposal area in the government's "Scientific Characteristics Map." 

As state-owned land, only officials from the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism are stationed there. The above-ground portion of the disposal facility can be small, so there is room for development. In fact, experts have been eyeing the island as a prospective candidate for consideration for some time.

Strong Impetus for Search

There is a strong impetus for the movement to restart nuclear power plants. It reflects the need to strengthen energy security as well as the burgeoning demand for electricity in the "Age of AI." In this respect, too, the selection of a final disposal site for HLW is a critical issue that cannot be postponed.

Hopefully, Ogasawara Village Mayor Masaaki Shibuya and the villagers will favorably consider Akazawa's request for a first-stage survey. Considering that Tokyo tops the energy consumption list, Governor Yuriko Koike should also take a positive stance.

Geological disposal is not a problem affecting just a specific region. Rather, it is an issue that should be considered from the standpoint of the entire nation's economy and well-being.

Expanding the number of candidate sites conducting literature surveys would be a major step forward in fulfilling the nation's responsibility to future generations.

RELATED:

• Let 2026 Be the Year Nuclear Power Returns as Core Energy Source
• Hokkaido Needs the Tomari Nuclear Plant, What's the Holdup?
• Nuclear Waste Disposal Problem Won't Be Resolved by Delays

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun

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