Yanai City Council passes resolution against nuclear waste storage facility

The Yanai City Council has passed a resolution opposing the construction of an interim storage facility for used nuclear fuel in the neighboring town of Kamiseki. The resolution was approved by a 9-to-6 vote on September 3, 2026, following a petition from local residents that included approximately 4,000 signatures.

The facility, proposed by Chugoku Electric Power in a joint venture with Kansai Electric Power, has faced significant local opposition. Yanai City is the second municipality in the region to pass such a resolution, following Tabuse Town. Proponents of the resolution cited concerns regarding environmental risks, the safety of future generations, and the potential for severe impact on local life in the event of an accident.

In response to questioning in the Yamaguchi Prefectural Assembly, officials stated that while Kamiseki has requested regional revitalization measures from Chugoku Electric Power, the town has not yet made a final decision on the facility, pending a concrete business plan. Yamaguchi Governor Muraoka has indicated that the prefecture essentially requires the understanding of the four surrounding municipalities before proceeding.