# Genkai Town mayoral election and nuclear waste site

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/genkai-town-mayoral-election-and-nuclear-waste-site
> Updated: 2026-07-27T03:20:53.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2.

On July 26, 2026, Genkai Town in Saga Prefecture held a mayoral election that saw independent candidate Daisuke Hidaka defeat three‑term incumbent Shintaro Wakiyama with 1,800 votes to 1,281. Hidaka, a former town department chief, pledged to create a safe community and to reassess the town’s plan for a final high‑level radioactive‑waste disposal facility.

After taking office, Hidaka called the proposed on‑shore disposal site, which would require 6–10 sq km, impractical for the town’s limited area. He said the town will await the results of an upcoming literature‑survey report before consulting residents and the town assembly. Hidaka also mentioned the possibility of offshore seabed options, similar to those explored in Hokkaido’s Kamoe‑nai village, while confirming continued cooperation with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NUMO).

## Timeline

### 2026-07-27: Genkai Town Mayor Daisuke Hidaka Calls Nuclear Waste Site Unfeasible

Genkai Town elected Daisuke Hidaka mayor, who says the town’s size makes a high‑level nuclear waste repository unfeasible and will await further studies before deciding.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/genkai-town-mayor-daisuke-hidaka-calls-nuclear-waste-site-unfeasible

### 2026-07-24: Genkai Town, Japan elects Daisuke Hidaka as mayor, defeating incumbent Shintaro Wakiyama

Daisuke Hidaka wins Genkai Town's mayoral race on July 26, 2026, defeating incumbent Shintaro Wakiyama with 78 % turnout; he vows a safe town and will review nuclear waste site plans.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/genkai-town-japan-elects-daisuke-hidaka-as-mayor-defeating-incumbent-shintaro-wakiyama

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Cite as: Genkai Town mayoral election and nuclear waste site. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/genkai-town-mayoral-election-and-nuclear-waste-site