"Nuclear waste" final disposal site problem Suttsu-cho, Hokkaido Apply for survey October 8 4:31
Regarding the selection of the final disposal site for so-called "nuclear waste", Suttsu-cho, Hokkaido is expected to apply for the "literature survey", which is the first stage of the selection, on the 8th.
Kamoenai Village in Hokkaido is expected to decide to apply soon, and the process for selecting a final disposal site, which has been stuck for many years, will start.
Suttsu-cho, Hokkaido, over the selection of a final disposal site for high-level radioactive waste from spent nuclear fuel at nuclear power plants, so-called "nuclear waste," will be the first stage of the selection in August. Was clarified to consider applying for.
After that, as a result of holding resident briefing sessions in various parts of the town, Mayor Haruo Kataoka decided to apply after the town council's all-members council held on the 8th, saying that the residents' understanding was sufficiently obtained, and officially announced. It is expected to do.
Meanwhile, in Kamoenai Village, Hokkaido, the plenary session of the village council will be held on the 8th, and a petition to consider the application submitted by the local business and industry association is expected to be adopted.
Since Mayor Masayuki Takahashi has repeatedly stated that he "respects the judgment of the parliament," it is likely that he will decide to apply for the literature search after being adopted.
If you apply, you will be the first municipality since the country published a map showing the areas that could be surveyed, and the process of selecting a final disposal site, which has been stalled for many years, will begin.
Suttsu Town The depopulation of the town progresses
Suttsu-cho, Hokkaido is a small town facing the Sea of Japan in the western part of Hokkaido, with a population of about 2,900 as of the end of March.
Due to depopulation, the population has decreased by about 15% compared to 10 years ago.
The pillars of the industry are the fishing and fishery processing industries, which once flourished in herring fishing, but recently the amount of landings has decreased and the slump continues.
For this reason, we built a town-run wind farm by taking advantage of the strong winds, and now a total of 11 wind turbines are in operation.
The income from the sale of electricity is a valuable source of revenue for the town.
Background of application for the survey in Suttsu Town
It was on August 13th that it became clear that Suttsu Town was considering applying for a survey regarding the selection of a final disposal site.
Mayor Haruo Kataoka told NHK that "10 years from now, the town's finances will definitely be tight," and revealed that one of the reasons for the consideration is that the government will give a grant along with the application. So, he showed his intention to decide whether to apply in mid-September.
Ripples spread inside and outside the town in response to the sudden statement of consideration.
The mayors of the three neighboring towns and villages offered to consider carefully, and the mayors of other regions and representatives of fisheries cooperatives in Hokkaido continued to voice opposition.
In addition, Governor Suzuki said, "How about raising your hands in a way that you hit your cheeks with a bundle of bills?", And after questioning the government's response, "high-level radioactive waste is unacceptable." He called for careful consideration, saying that it was incompatible with the road regulations.
In response to these movements, Mayor Kataoka decided to postpone the decision period, which was set in mid-September, and hold a resident briefing session, saying that a polite explanation was necessary.
However, even at the briefing sessions held in each district of the town, the voices of opposition from the residents did not stop.
Furthermore, NHK obtained that Mayor Kataoka had initially indicated a policy of deciding to apply for the survey during August, saying that it would be troublesome to ask the townspeople at the meeting of the town council in August. The criticism was further strengthened as it became clear in the minutes.
Even so, Mayor Kataoka said, "We have received many voices of support," and he remained enthusiastic about applying.
Then, after the briefing session inviting the person in charge of the country on the 29th of last month, the explanation will be held on the 8th, saying that "even if we discuss for a long time, the gap with those who oppose it will not be filled". He expressed his intention to clarify the decision of application after the council of all members of the town council.
Kamoenai Village The municipality with the second smallest population in Hokkaido
Kamoenai Village, Hokkaido is located on the west side of the Shakotan Peninsula, northwest of Sapporo City.
Surrounded by the sea and mountains, fishing is a key industry.
With a population of about 820, it is the second smallest municipality in Hokkaido.
In the adjacent Tomari Village, there is the Hokkaido Electric Power Company Tomari Nuclear Power Station, and almost the entire area of the village is within 30 km.
Movement of application for survey in Kamoenai Village
The application movement in Kamoenai Village began concretely when the local business and industry association submitted a petition to the village council.
The Kamoenai Village Chamber of Commerce held an extraordinary general meeting on the 7th of last month, decided to ask the village to consider applying for employment by attracting related industries, and petitioned the village council on the 8th of the next day. I submitted it.
In response to this, the village council held a committee meeting on the 16th, but the examination was continued because the residents' understanding was not sufficiently advanced.
For this reason, the village council requested the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and NUMO = Nuclear Waste Management Organization of Japan to hold a resident briefing session.
Residents' briefings were held in various parts of the village for five days from the 26th of last month, and a total of more than 270 people participated.
At a series of resident briefings, there were a series of remarks showing understanding of the application, although there were some dissenting opinions.
Based on these results, the village council committee was held again on the 2nd of this month, and the petition was adopted by a majority.
It is certain that it will be adopted at the plenary session on the 8th.
During this time, Mayor Masayuki Takahashi declined to say whether to apply, saying, "I can't answer until the village council makes a conclusion."
On the other hand, since he repeatedly stated that he would respect the judgment of the village council, it seems that he will decide to apply after receiving the final decision of the village council at the plenary session.
It's been only a month since the petition was submitted.