高レベル放射性廃棄物処分プロセスにおける社会的合意形成

―参加の枠組みとコミュニケーションの課題についての考察―

抄録

While nuclear power has been one of the baseload energy sources for more than half a century in Japan, people have been enjoying its benefit without properly understanding the issues associated with

management of the high-level radioactive waste (HLW) generated through its use. Even if Japan chose to abandon or phase out nuclear power, it does not mean that the HLW which has already been generated would disappear, or that Japan could avoid the need to address the HLW issues. It is necessary to dispose of HLW safely without imposing adverse effects on human health or the environment. However, disposal of HLW is a challenge, due to people’s attitudes to the issues, often referred to as the “Not In My Backyard” or NIMBY syndrome. To overcome NIMBY, it is essential to ensure active citizen participation and to engage in constructive discussion and elaboration about the issues. Based on previous studies and publicly available documents, this paper examines Japan’s challenges associated with the public participation framework and communication throughout the HLW disposal process. The paper highlights matters related to government approaches and those of the HLW-disposal implementer, and addresses the major elements that need to be taken into account in societal consensus-building towards the proper management and disposal of HLW.