Minamitorishima, a remote Tokyo island, is being considered as a potential final disposal site for highly radioactive waste from nuclear power plants.

This first-stage survey aims to evaluate land conditions and volcanic activity as part of a three-step site-selection process coordinated by the Nuclear Waste Management Organization.

The island currently has no civilian residents, but hosts facilities from the Defense Ministry and Land Ministry, with staff from each agency stationed there.

The Japanese government plans to ask the mayor of Ogasawara Village for consent to conduct a bunken chosa survey on Minamitori Island to assess its suitability as a site for underground disposal of high-level radioactive waste.

A color-coded survey map cited by Industry Minister Akazawa Ryosei suggests the region may have favorable features, such as the absence of nearby volcanoes or active faults.

Economy Minister Ryosei Akazawa announced that the assessment on Minamitori would be the first of a three-stage process in selecting a site.

Experts acknowledge geological stability as a point in favor but note challenges related to long-distance transportation and underground excavation.

The government plans to brief Ogasawara residents to gain understanding and cooperation, given that the island is state-owned with unused land that could host above-ground facilities.

The island is considered geologically favorable due to its location on the Pacific Plate, and the entire island is government-owned.

The first-stage surveys use published geological sources to assess land conditions and volcanic activity as part of the three-stage process led by the Nuclear Waste Management Organization.

Recent scientific attention surrounds Minamitorishima after a depth-focused expedition recovered mud samples with rare earth elements, highlighting ongoing research interest.

If approved, Minami-Torishima would become the fourth site in Japan to undergo such a survey, following Suttsu and Kamoenai in Hokkaido and Genkai in Saga Prefecture.