An expert who opposes the disposal of so-called "nuclear waste" generated by nuclear power generation by burying it deep underground attended a Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry council and said, ``There is no suitable site in Japan, where the underground is subject to rapid fluctuations.'' ” expressed his opinion. In response, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry explained, ``It is possible to search for a suitable location within Japan.''
High-level radioactive waste, so-called "nuclear waste," emits strong radiation for a long period of time, and the law requires that it be disposed of by burying it deeper than 300 meters underground.
On the 29th, three experts in geology and other fields who issued a statement in October last year stating that ``there is no suitable site for geological disposal in Japan'' attended the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's council to consider technical methods of disposal. Did.
Of these, Satoshi Okamura, professor emeritus at Hokkaido University of Education, said, ``Japan has severe underground fluctuations due to the influence of multiple plate boundaries, so it is not suitable in the first place for disposal in geological formations.''
Yugo Ono, a professor emeritus at Hokkaido University, said, ``Based on past earthquake experience, it is thought that when a fault moves, the underground deforms over a wide area, and many places in Japan should be considered unsuitable.'' ” he claimed.
In response, a Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry official said, ``The actual selection of the disposal site will be carried out in stages over a period of about 20 years. It is possible to avoid the area and look for suitable land,'' he said, explaining the government's position.
As a result of the first stage of the investigation into two towns and villages in Hokkaido regarding the selection of nuclear waste disposal sites, a draft report was presented last month to move forward to the next stage, and the council will prepare a report. Discussion continues.