Following Hitachiomiya City's acceptance of a survey for the final disposal facility for high-level radioactive waste, attention is focused on the amount of the literature-survey subsidy and whether the process will advance to the next overview survey. The mayor has also discussed how the funds will be used. The key points of the press conference at which the mayor made his position public are presented.
Hitachiomiya City indicated that it intends to accept a literature survey for the selection of a final disposal facility for high-level radioactive waste. The mayor said the city has a role in passing on to the next generation the option and possibility of attracting a geological disposal facility.
The literature-survey subsidy has been reported to amount to a maximum of ¥2 billion, and the city indicated that no allocation to surrounding municipalities is envisaged. In response to criticism that the amount was being reported ahead of everything else, the mayor said the city was not accepting the survey on the premise that a subsidy would be provided.
A subsidy of approximately ¥7 billion at most is said to be envisaged for the overview survey as the next stage. The mayor has continued to refrain from discussing details of future uses and allocations, but regards them as important issues for consideration, including the attraction of a geological disposal facility.
This topic is at a stage where further reports and updates are awaited, and competition among municipalities and trends in the allocation of funds are expected to attract the attention of investors and residents. Attention is focused on the mayor's future remarks and developments in official materials.