Genkai Town Considers Hosting Nuclear Waste Disposal Site
A special committee of the Genkai town assembly met on April 25th to discuss a request for the town to become the final disposal site for nuclear waste. This marks a significant step, as Genkai is the first town to host a nuclear power plant that is also seeking to become the final disposal site for the waste it generates.
The entire town assembly is expected to vote on the request during a session scheduled for April 26th. If approved, Mayor Shintaro Wakiyama will then have the final say on whether to formally ask the central government to consider Genkai for the first stage of a three-stage selection process.
This initial phase involves examining past records of natural disasters and geological conditions to determine the suitability of the area. If Genkai receives the green light, it would become the third municipality to enter the process, following two towns in Hokkaido.
The proposal to host the disposal site has been met with mixed reactions. Local business groups submitted petitions to the town assembly earlier this year, arguing that it is the responsibility of a municipality hosting a nuclear plant to also serve as the final disposal site for the highly radioactive waste it produces. However, some residents have expressed concerns about the potential risks and impact on the community.