The Japanese government is finalizing a request for Hitachiomiya City to conduct a literature safety survey for a high-level radioactive waste disposal site.

This move marks a critical step in the national strategy to secure a permanent repository for nuclear waste. The selection process is often fraught with local opposition, making the government's direct approach to municipalities a significant tactical shift in managing the country's nuclear legacy.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is coordinating the request for the city located in north-western Ibaraki Prefecture [1]. Hitachiomiya City has a population of approximately 35,000 people [1], and about 60% of its land is forested [1].

This represents only the second instance where the national government has directly requested a municipality to undergo a literature survey [1]. Previously, four municipalities — Suttsu, Kamoenai, Genkai, and Ogasawara — have undergone such surveys [1].

A literature survey serves as the first stage of the site selection process. It involves reviewing existing geological data and documents to determine if the area is suitable for a final disposal site. To incentivize participation, the government offers a maximum grant of 2 billion yen to any municipality that accepts the survey [1].

While the central government seeks new locations, some local leaders have called for a broader search. Masaaki Shibuya, the mayor of Ogasawara Village, said the state should increase the number of locations where it makes these requests [2].

Economy Minister Ryosei Akazawa said he hopes to gain the understanding of the new mayor [3]. The request to Hitachiomiya City indicates the government's urgency in identifying a viable location for "nuclear trash" before the current waste storage capacities are reached.

“The government is finalizing a request for Hitachiomiya City to conduct a literature safety survey.”

The Japanese government's decision to directly target Hitachiomiya City signals an aggressive push to expand the pool of potential waste sites. By offering substantial financial grants and bypassing the wait for voluntary applications, Tokyo is attempting to break the deadlock in nuclear waste disposal. However, the reliance on financial incentives and direct government requests may increase local political tension in Ibaraki Prefecture.