A program to bury highly radioactive wastes deep under the ground has started - products from the spent nuclear fuel at nuclear power stations. Two of the municipalities in Hokkaido have applied for candidacy of the final processing site of such wastes, and before the end of the year 2020 the first phase of eligibility investigation based on scientific papers and data will be launched on the two local communities.

TO KEEP WASTES INSIDE NUCLEAR STATIONS – THE SOLE SOLUTION

Local governments of Suttu-cho and Kamoenai-mura are applicants for the scientific and data studies for the planned nuclear wastes’ dumping site. The NUMO=Nuclear Waste Management Organization of Japan seems to have confirmed the applications as valid after examining the relevant formalities of the two municipalities.

The eligibility study has three phases: the first study relies on scientific reports and data which it takes approximately two years, and then the second study, which is called ‘overall investigation’, which employs a drilling survey, spending almost four years, and lastly, the ‘detailed examination’ which needs around 14 years.

Government’s subsidy is an aim

An applicant municipality is to be paid 2 billion Yen of subsidy for the first phase of scientific and data study, and if it goes to the second phase, it will be paid 9 billion Yen, disregarding whether the town or the village is selected or not. The heads of the two local communities, Suttu-cho and Kamoenai-mura, do not hide their intention to receive subsidies.

Hokkaido has an ordinance to specify ‘a prefecture without nuclear wastes’. Governor Suzuku Naomichi criticized the scheme of first phase study, saying that it slaps people with a bundle of banknotes. It was August when the Suttu-cho authority would apply for a study of the nuclear processing site. He declared to oppose a decision to go to the second-stage survey, but concerning the final processing site, Governor says he ‘respects opinions’. This stance cannot guarantee suspension of the plan.

Young people engaged in the marine product processing industries of Suttu-cho requested the local government to issue an ordinance on referendum to question whether the application is right or not. They presented signatures of resident voters counting 214 on October 7. The necessary number of signatures is set as 51, and the total advocate far exceeds the requested figure.

However, Mayor Kataoka Haruo expressed his will of being an applicant October 8 and went through the necessary formalities October 9. He violently rejected the will of residents.

In Kamoenai-mura village, which is adjacent to the Tomari Nuclear Power Station, reportedly, no outward signs of opposition are seen. The village is paid subsidies of hosting the power plant and many inhabitants get jobs from the industry. That is a reason of people’s hesitation to go up against the development.

Safety for 100 thousand years

An isolated, remote municipality wants, logically, a subsidy amounting 2 billion Yen. However, if a final processing site of nuclear wastes should be built, highly radioactive substances should be kept in safe for 100 thousand years. Nobody can guarantee that.

The Japanese archipelagoes are filled with volcanoes, having geologic faults here and there. Earthquakes with big seismic tremors occur frequently due to plate ruptures. Underground water is rich. No suitable location is found to bury radioactive materials deep below the ground.

Our newspaper repeatedly has asserted that all the nuclear power plants should stop immediately so as not to pile up nuclear wastes. Radioactive wastes produced by the plants until today must be preserved almost permanently inside the premises of plants with rigid responsibilities of the state’s government and the relevant electric companies instead of reprocessing them, which makes them more dangerous. This is the sole solution.

October 27, 2020