Kami and Shioya towns vote against radioactive storage

September 19, 2014

Towns vote to block radioactive waste dumps

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140919_37.html

Sep. 19, 2014 - Updated 12:59 UTC+2

The assemblies of 2 towns north of Tokyo have voted unanimously to block or limit the construction of final disposal sites for radioactive waste in their towns.

Kami Town in Miyagi Prefecture and Shioya Town in Tochigi Prefecture have both been named by the central government as candidate sites for the facilities.

Sludge, ash, and other waste containing more than 8,000 becquerels of radioactive materials per kilogram are to be permanently stored at the sites.

The government plans to build such facilities in 5 prefectures near Fukushima, where the 2011 nuclear accident occurred.

On Friday, the assemblies of the 2 towns approved separate ordinances that would effectively hamper the central government's plan.

The ordinance in Kami Town says local authorities are responsible for protecting and preserving the rich natural environment.

The ordinance in Shioya designates a natural spring near the candidate site as an important industrial asset. It requires the mayor's approval for commercial or government-led waste disposal activities in the area.

Officials at the Environment Ministry say they will continue to carefully tell the municipalities that the facilities are necessary, and that they will be safe.