Hitachiomiya Accepts Literature Survey for HLW Repository Site Selection

At a press conference held at Hitachiomiya City Hall the same day, Suzuki cited several reasons for the decision. First, he said that efforts toward the geological disposal of HLW are a matter of national policy and that contributing to this policy as a municipality would be highly significant.

Second, Hitachiomiya has been identified as a municipality at risk of population decline^[1]Hitachiomiya was identified as a “municipality at risk of population decline” in a 2024 report by the private-sector Population Strategy Council. The designation applies to municipalities where … Continue reading , and Suzuki said that contributing to geological disposal could potentially help strengthen the foundations for the city’s long-term sustainability. He said the city intends to explore that potential for the future through discussions involving local residents.

Third, Suzuki said that conducting a scientific and intensive analysis of Hitachiomiya’s underground environment through the literature survey could also become a valuable asset for the community from the perspective of disaster prevention and mitigation.

Suzuki said the city had been considering the government’s request positively and described the literature survey as “a stage before even reaching the starting line.”

The city plans to issue a special edition of its public information newsletter to explain the literature survey and address residents’ concerns and questions. It will also assign specialist staff to provide information and explanations to local residents.

YAMAGUCHI Akira, president of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization of Japan (NUMO), issued a statement saying: “We deeply appreciate the interest shown and discussions held regarding the final disposal of specified radioactive waste and the literature survey, and we sincerely thank Mayor Suzuki for his decision.”

Yamaguchi added that NUMO would work to address the interests, questions and concerns of Hitachiomiya residents regarding final disposal and the literature survey, and to help deepen public understanding and discussion.

Hitachiomiya was also home for many years to a radiation breeding facility known as the Gamma Field, where radiation was used for plant breeding research. The facility was closed at the end of September 2025.