Genkai Town Considers Hosting Nuclear Waste Disposal Site
On April 25th, a special committee of the Genkai town assembly met to discuss a request for the municipality 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 and approve the request on April 26th. Following approval, Mayor Shintaro Wakiyama will have the final say on whether to formally request the central government to consider Genkai for the first stage of a three-stage selection process.
This first stage involves examining past records of natural disasters and geological conditions to determine the suitability of the area. If Genkai is deemed suitable and Wakiyama gives the green light, it would become the third municipality to enter the process, following two in Hokkaido.
The push for Genkai to host the disposal site comes from local business groups and some assembly members who believe it is the responsibility of a municipality hosting a nuclear plant to also manage the final disposal of its highly radioactive waste.