'50km from Busan' Possibility of Nuclear Waste Disposal Site Construction on Japan's Tsushima Island
City Council Passes Petition for Kindergarten
Local Residents and Civic Groups Protest
A high-level radioactive waste disposal facility is being planned for construction on Tsushima Island in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, located about 50 km in a straight line from Busan.
According to the Mainichi Shimbun and others on the 13th, on the 12th, the Tsushima City Council adopted a petition to participate in the "literature survey stage," a process of reviewing maps and materials during the nuclear waste site selection procedure, with 9 votes in favor, 7 against, and 1 absence, resulting in a majority approval.
However, the final decision by Mayor Hitakatsu Naoki, who holds the ultimate authority, has not yet been made. Mayor Hitakatsu stated, "I am accepting this with a very heavy resolution and want to make a choice that the citizens desire," and said he would make a decision by the 27th, during the regular city council session.
If a nuclear waste disposal facility is established on Tsushima Island, 19,000 tons of high-level nuclear waste from nuclear power plants across Japan will be buried there. The Tsushima City Council also discussed hosting a radioactive waste disposal site in 2007 but passed a resolution opposing it at that time.
However, as the situation changed with a declining population and fewer tourists, this time the hosting petition passed the city council. Those advocating for hosting emphasize that even participating only in the literature survey stage could secure up to 2 billion yen (approximately 18.3 billion KRW) in grants from the Japanese government.
Hot Picks Today
At President Lee's Call to "Give Enough to Shock," Whistleblower Rewards Become a Real Lottery
- If They Fail Next Year, Bonus Drops to 97 Million Won... A Closer Look at Samsung Electronics DS Division’s 600M vs 460M vs 160M Performance Bonuses
- Lived as Family for Over 30 Years... Daughter-in-Law Cast Aside After Husband's Death
- Opening a Bank Account in Korea Is Too Difficult..."Over 150,000 Won in Notarization Fees Just for a Child's Account and Debit Card" [Foreigner K-Finance Status]②
- "Who Is Visiting Japan These Days?" The Once-Crowded Tourist Spots Empty Out... What's Happening?
However, local residents working in tourism and civic groups are reportedly opposing the plan, saying, "Hosting a nuclear waste facility will damage Tsushima's image," and "Tsushima does not need to rely on a nuclear waste disposal site."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
