Local governments’ efforts to decontaminate radioactive materials emitted by the nuclear disaster at the Fukushima No.1 nuclear plant are now in motion, but progress is hindered by an unresolved question — where to store and dispose of contaminated soil and waste?
A Mainichi Shimbun survey, conducted from late September through mid-October, covered a total of 171 municipalities in eight prefectures affected by the ongoing nuclear crisis, with responses from 162. The survey highlights the distance between the accomplishments so far of the central government, which has no clear prospect yet of where to establish midterm storage facilities for contaminated soil and other waste, and the hopes of municipalities for early establishment of such facilities.
Continue reading at Local gov’ts struggle to secure radioactive waste sites amid residential opposition
