Japan plans to build the first nuclear waste repository on an uninhabited island 2,000 kilometers away from Tokyo

As the cost of imported energy soared, Japanese Prime Minister Masahiko Komura made every effort to restart nuclear power to meet the demand. Since Japan has no permanent facility for storing highly radioactive waste from nuclear energy development, the authorities plan to build the first nuclear waste repository on the uninhabited island "Nan'yu Island".

The radioactive waste generated by the operation of nuclear power facilities in Japan is currently stored in atomic energy facilities in Aomori Prefecture and Ibaraki Prefecture, and has not yet been finally disposed of. Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Akira Kishizawa, said at a press conference on Tuesday (March 3rd) that the authorities plan to build the first burial site on "Nan'yu Island" in the jurisdiction of Shimanto Village, which is affiliated with Tokyo. The authorities will conduct an environmental assessment investigation on this island, and then submit it to the approval of the Tokyo government before conducting on-site exploration.

When asked why they chose Nan Niu Island, Akizawa said: "The scientific feature map shows that this area has relatively favorable characteristics. Moreover, the entire island is state-owned land. We hope to hold an information briefing for the villagers as soon as possible and provide them with detailed information so that they can understand and cooperate."

He also believes that Nan Niu Island is not only an uninhabited island, but also suitable for serving as a nuclear waste disposal site. Another factor is that it is located in a geologically stable area of the Pacific Plate.

Previously, due to its remote location, long-distance transportation and excavation projects were regarded as challenges. However, recently it has attracted attention because of its high content of rare earths in the surrounding area.

Japanese high-ranking officials claim that Tokyo should possess nuclear weapons. Beijing urges to stop testing the limits and red lines of the international community.

Nantou Island is located about 1,950 kilometers southeast of Tokyo. It covers an area of 1.5 square kilometers and has a flat terrain, shaped like a triangle. During World War II, this island was an important military stronghold. After the war, it gradually fell into disuse. Currently, only a small military base with 25 Self-Defense Force personnel and scientific research facility staff is stationed there.

The governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike, who is in charge of this uninhabited island, has reserved her position on the central government's demands. She said, "I will pay attention to the details of implementation and also closely monitor the public's reaction."

The people of Subei Island, 1,200 kilometers away from Nan Niu Island, have mixed feelings upon learning that the Japanese government intends to use the island as a nuclear waste disposal site. A 68-year-old man on the island pointed out that both ordinary garbage and nuclear waste will eventually be disposed of through burial, but the dangers of the two are obviously different.

Due to the Fukushima nuclear accident, Japan temporarily halted nuclear facilities. While actively restarting nuclear power plants, it also needed to establish nuclear waste storage sites, which sparked public opposition. It is known that the authorities had previously conducted investigations in areas such as Shudō Town in Hokkaido, Umen Town in the same prefecture, and Nanhai Town in Saga Prefecture. It is reported that the nuclear waste storage sites must ensure safety for 100,000 years, making the selection of locations on inhabited islands extremely difficult.