Japan Plans to Store Nuclear Waste on Minamitorishima, Local Government Willing to Accept Investigation
Japan's central government plans to designate Minamitorishima, its easternmost island, as a candidate site for nuclear waste disposal. Ogasawara Village Mayor Masaaki Shibuya indicated willingness to accept the initial 'literature survey,' stating that the decision should be made by the state. Minamitorishima is an uninhabited island about 2,000 km from Tokyo, with approximately 30 personnel stationed there. The literature survey will take about two years to investigate volcanic and fault activities, and municipalities accepting the survey can receive up to 1 billion yen annually in subsidies.
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- 📰 Published: April 13, 2026 at 17:20
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Japan's central government plans to designate Minamitorishima, its easternmost island, as a candidate site for nuclear waste disposal. Minamitorishima is part of Ogasawara Village, and Mayor Masaaki Shibuya stated today that 'the state should make the judgment' on whether to conduct the investigation, effectively agreeing to accept the first stage of the survey.
Minamitorishima is formed by coral reefs, located approximately 2,000 kilometers from the Tokyo metropolitan area and about 1,200 kilometers from Chichijima, where the Ogasawara Village office is located. Minamitorishima, covering about 1.5 square kilometers, is state-owned land with no general residents, only about 30 personnel from the Japan Meteorological Agency and Self-Defense Forces stationed there.
The Ogasawara Village office had previously received an application from the central government to conduct the first stage of investigation for selecting a final disposal site for nuclear waste on Minamitorishima. The first stage, a 'literature survey,' will take about two years to investigate volcanic and fault activities through papers and other materials.
To date, only three regions in Japan have been willing to accept a 'literature survey': Suttsu Town and Kaminokuni Village in Hokkaido, and Genkai Town in Saga Prefecture.
The Yomiuri Shimbun reported that the Japanese government's desire to conduct a 'literature survey' on Minamitorishima is the first case of a central government-led application for a final nuclear waste disposal site investigation in Japan.
The Ogasawara Village office held a briefing today to explain the matter to residents. Mayor Masaaki Shibuya, when mentioning the survey, stated, 'The state should bear primary responsibility and make the judgment,' implying agreement to accept the 'literature survey.'
The first stage 'literature survey' takes about two years to investigate volcanic and fault activities; the second stage 'outline survey' will last about four years, exploring geology and groundwater conditions; the final 'detailed survey' will investigate whether rock formations and groundwater characteristics are suitable, taking about 14 years. These three stages will essentially take about 20 years.
Local governments willing to accept the 'literature survey' can receive an annual subsidy of up to approximately 1 billion yen. (Compiler: Yang Wei-ching) 1150413
Minamitorishima is formed by coral reefs, located approximately 2,000 kilometers from the Tokyo metropolitan area and about 1,200 kilometers from Chichijima, where the Ogasawara Village office is located. Minamitorishima, covering about 1.5 square kilometers, is state-owned land with no general residents, only about 30 personnel from the Japan Meteorological Agency and Self-Defense Forces stationed there.
The Ogasawara Village office had previously received an application from the central government to conduct the first stage of investigation for selecting a final disposal site for nuclear waste on Minamitorishima. The first stage, a 'literature survey,' will take about two years to investigate volcanic and fault activities through papers and other materials.
To date, only three regions in Japan have been willing to accept a 'literature survey': Suttsu Town and Kaminokuni Village in Hokkaido, and Genkai Town in Saga Prefecture.
The Yomiuri Shimbun reported that the Japanese government's desire to conduct a 'literature survey' on Minamitorishima is the first case of a central government-led application for a final nuclear waste disposal site investigation in Japan.
The Ogasawara Village office held a briefing today to explain the matter to residents. Mayor Masaaki Shibuya, when mentioning the survey, stated, 'The state should bear primary responsibility and make the judgment,' implying agreement to accept the 'literature survey.'
The first stage 'literature survey' takes about two years to investigate volcanic and fault activities; the second stage 'outline survey' will last about four years, exploring geology and groundwater conditions; the final 'detailed survey' will investigate whether rock formations and groundwater characteristics are suitable, taking about 14 years. These three stages will essentially take about 20 years.
Local governments willing to accept the 'literature survey' can receive an annual subsidy of up to approximately 1 billion yen. (Compiler: Yang Wei-ching) 1150413
FAQ
Where is Minamitorishima located?
Minamitorishima is located at Japan's easternmost point, approximately 2,000 km from the Tokyo metropolitan area and 1,200 km from Chichijima, where the Ogasawara Village office is located.
How long does the nuclear waste disposal site investigation take?
The nuclear waste disposal site investigation consists of three stages: a literature survey (2 years), an outline survey (4 years), and a detailed survey (14 years), totaling approximately 20 years.