Nahara's qualms about accepting interim facility

Naraha Town asks to revise waste storage site plan

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140127_21.html 

A town near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has asked for a review of the central government's plan to build an interim facility in the municipality to store radioactive soil and debris from the 2011 accident.

Naraha Mayor Yukiei Matsumoto handed the request in writing to Fukushima Governor Yuhei Sato on Monday.

Japan's government last month asked 3 towns near the plant --- Naraha, Futaba and Okuma --- to allow construction of storage facilities for radioactive debris amassed within the prefecture. The waste would have radioactive levels of more than 100,000 becquerels per kilogram.

But Naraha wants the government to limit the town's proposed facility to, in principle, storing waste collected within the municipality and containing radiation of 100,000 becquerels per kilogram or less.

On Monday, the town's mayor told the governor of Fukushima Prefecture that conditions for evacuated residents to return to their homes are gradually being met. But he said the storage facility could derail the town's restoration, and asked for a review of the plan.

The Fukushima governor expressed his readiness to convey the request swiftly.

Some Naraha residents oppose storing debris of even lower radioactivity. The town will hold a public assembly on Wednesday to discuss whether it should have a referendum on the issue.