福島の除染 中間貯蔵施設の実現は急務だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 22, 2012)
Interim storage facilities urgently needed for decontamination work
福島の除染　中間貯蔵施設の実現は急務だ（8月21日付・読売社説）

At a meeting with local governments, the central government has proposed 12 candidate sites for construction of interim storage facilities in Fukushima Prefecture to hold soil and other waste contaminated by radioactive substances released by Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
　政府は、東京電力福島第一原子力発電所の事故で発生した汚染土などを保管する中間貯蔵施設について、地元自治体に建設候補地を示した。

If such facilities cannot be built, decontamination work will grind to a halt, impeding the progress of reconstruction from the March 11, 2011, disaster. The central government must make all-out efforts to obtain the understanding and support of the local governments to realize early construction of the storage facilities.
　施設が建設できないと除染は行き詰まり、復興も進まない。自治体の理解を得て、政府は、早期実現に全力を挙げねばならない。

All 12 candidate sites in the towns of Futaba, Okuma and Naraha, are in the vicinity of the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant.
　候補地とされたのは、福島県双葉、大熊、楢葉３町内の計１２か所だ。いずれも、福島第一原発の近接地にある。

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A realistic proposal

The original plan to construct a large intermediate storage facility in each of these three towns was revised in consideration of geological and transportation factors, expanding the area for candidate sites. This obviously made the proposal more realistic.
　政府は３町に１か所ずつ大型の中間貯蔵施設を設けるとした従来の案を見直し、地形や搬送する際の交通の便などを考慮して、候補地を分散させた。より現実的な案になったと言えるだろう。

But some local people have expressed concern that their return home will become more difficult if such facilities are constructed near their houses.
　しかし、地元では、自宅の周辺に中間貯蔵施設ができた場合、帰還が難しくなるなどと反発する声が出ている。

After obtaining approval from local governments, the central government plans to conduct a precise geological survey before launching design and construction work on interim storage facilities. The construction of facilities that can thoroughly prevent contaminant seepage must be very well planned.
　政府は今後、地元の同意を得たうえで、精密な地質調査などを実施し、設計・建設に着手する方針だ。汚染土の漏出などを確実に封じ込める施設の設置に向け、手続きを急ぐ必要がある。

According to the Environment Ministry, the volume of soil to be decontaminated in the prefecture will be from 15 million to 28 million cubic meters, or up to 23 times the volume of Tokyo Dome.
　環境省によると、県内の除染作業で出る汚染土などの量は１５００万～２８００万立方メートル、最大で東京ドーム２３杯分にのぼる。

The government plan calls for first collecting contaminated soil and waste at preliminary storage sites to be prepared in various parts of the prefecture. The material will be stored there for about three years, covered with soil to prevent the escape of radiation. It will then be transferred to the intermediate storage facilities and later transported to final disposal sites to be built within 30 years.
　政府の計画では、これらの汚染土などを、いったん県内各地の仮置き場に集積する。放射線を遮るため覆土したうえで、３年程度保管する。その後、中間貯蔵施設に運び、３０年以内に県外に新設される最終処分場に運び出す。

However, if construction sites for the interim storage facilities are not decided by next spring, it will become impossible to maintain even the preliminary storage sites, and this will slow down the decontamination work.
　ただし、来春までに中間貯蔵施設の建設場所を決めないと、仮置き場の維持すらできず、除染が滞りかねない。

The local governments have called on the central government to discuss damage compensation and reconstruction plans together with plans to build the intermediate facilities.
　地元自治体は、政府に対し、被害賠償と復興計画も同時に議論すべきだと主張してきた。

The government compiled in July a basic policy for the reconstruction and revival of Fukushima Prefecture that includes fostering renewable energy industries. It has also put forth a policy to build "temporary towns" where evacuees can live before returning to their original homes and has worked out damage compensation guidelines.
　政府は７月、再生可能エネルギー関連産業の育成などを盛り込んだ「福島復興再生基本方針」をまとめた。地域住民が帰還まで暮らす「仮の町」を設ける方針も打ち出し、賠償基準も決めた。

Thus, in policy terms, it can be said that the foundation has been laid for construction of the intermediate storage facilities.
　中間貯蔵施設の建設へ、環境は整ってきたのではないか。

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Fukushima Prefecture's role vital

The Fukushima prefectural government's role in advancing decontamination work is crucial. We hope the prefecture will take a more active role in coordination work between the central government and local municipalities.
　除染を進めていくうえでは、福島県の役割も重要である。政府と地元の調整に、もっと積極的に参画してもらいたい。

Concern is smoldering among the local municipalities that interim storage facilities will end up as de facto final disposal sites.
　地元自治体には、中間貯蔵施設がなし崩しに最終処分地になるとの懸念がくすぶっている。

Environment Minister Goshi Hosono has said that transportation of contaminated soil outside the prefecture can be achieved within 30 years. With plenty of time remaining in that regard, we suggest that discussions on final disposal sites be launched after observing how the situation develops.
　細野環境相は「３０年以内の県外搬出」を実現すると述べている。まだ時間はある。最終処分地の議論は、状況の推移を見守ってから始めるのも一案だろう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 21, 2012)
（2012年8月21日02時06分  読売新聞）