Parliamentarian group on nuke disposal

 November 15, 2013

Lawmakers to explore nuclear waste disposal plan

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20131115_16.html

Japanese lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties are set to launch a parliamentarians' group to discuss disposal of highly radioactive waste from nuclear power plants.

The move follows a call for a nuclear power-free society by former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi. Koizumi called on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to decide promptly on a zero nuclear policy instead of restarting idled reactors.

Koizumi cited as a reason, difficulties associated with the construction of disposal sites for highly radioactive waste.

The new group will include lawmakers from the ruling Liberal Democratic and New Komeito parties and the opposition Democratic Party.

The members plan to study how other countries manage their radioactive waste and discuss a wide range of issues, including the possibility of new technological developments.

They also plan to look into ways to select the locations of disposal sites.

The lawmakers say they will face the issue head on to encourage public deba