Reuse of decontaminated soil Demonstration project outside of Fukushima Prefecture Postponed to start before the end of the fiscal year

The Ministry of the Environment initially planned to start a demonstration project outside the prefecture for the purpose of recycling soil left over from decontamination within Fukushima Prefecture, with the understanding of the residents, before the end of this fiscal year. In response to the voice of opposition, we decided to postpone the start of the project within the fiscal year and try to foster understanding, such as holding another briefing session for residents.

The Ministry of the Environment has a policy to recycle soil from the decontamination of Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station that has a concentration of radioactive substances below the standard for public works. Saitama Prefecture's "Environmental Research and Training Center" plans to conduct the first demonstration project outside of Fukushima Prefecture.

Initially, the Ministry of the Environment had indicated a policy of starting the project within this fiscal year after gaining the understanding of the residents, but in December last year, at each of the residents' briefings, they asked, "Why was this place selected?" Questions and opinions such as "Insufficient information" were received.

In Tokorozawa City, the mayor of Tokorozawa has expressed disapproval of the plan, as the majority of the local neighborhood associations opposed the proposal.

In response to such local opposition, the Ministry of the Environment postponed the start of the project within the fiscal year, and plans to respond to questions and opinions at briefing sessions in writing, and to hold briefing sessions again to foster understanding.

The Ministry of the Environment said, ``First, we will fully explain to local residents, and then make a decision on when to start.''

Expert "It is a prerequisite to proceed with a sense of conviction"

Tetsuo Hotaka, head of the research group at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), who is familiar with the issue of consensus building among residents for public works projects, commented on how to proceed with this demonstration project: , After that, various issues will arise, so it is premised that we will proceed after having a solid sense of conviction."

On top of that, he says, "I think it has social significance to lighten the burden on Fukushima Prefecture as much as possible, so it's important to convey the significance and necessity of conducting a demonstration project here in an easy-to-understand manner."