New Gov't plan to build interim storage in Fukushima

March 27, 2014

Govt.'s new plan for Fukushima waste storage sites

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140327_31.html

Japan's government has shown Fukushima officials a new plan to build interim storage facilities for contaminated soil and other radioactive waste.

The plan calls for reducing the number of towns to host the facilities in Fukushima Prefecture from 3 to 2, following demands by local governments.

Environment Minister Nobuteru Ishihara and Reconstruction Minister Takumi Nemoto visited the prefectural government office on Thursday.

The ministers handed the plan to Fukushima Governor Yuhei Sato and representatives from 8 municipalities, and asked them to accept it.

The plan was revised after Fukushima officials demanded changes last month.
The facilities will store soil and other waste from cleanup work in areas contaminated by the Fukushima nuclear accident in March 2011. They are to be used until final disposal sites are ready.

The government originally planned to build the facilities in 3 towns near the plant -- Futaba, Okuma and Naraha.

The revised plan dropped Naraha because radiation levels there are lower and evacuees hope to return to their homes as soon as possible.

The plan calls instead for building a facility in Naraha to solidify ash from incinerating debris.

The government says it will purchase land plots for the interim facilities. But local governments favor renting the plots from their owners.

Government officials say they will explain their plans in detail to residents of Futaba and Okuma. But the residents are concerned because they have not been offered programs to help rebuild their lives and revitalize the local economy.

The focus now shifts to whether the government can develop convincing programs as well as acceptable prices for land purchases.

Mar. 27, 2014 - Updated 09:59 UTC