According to the current basic policy for HLW disposal in Japan, the siting process is to be carried out with three stages (Fig. 24.5). The first stage is “literature survey,” the second is “preliminary investigation,” and the third is “detailed investigation.” Then, construction of the repository will start. At each stage,

decisions will be made by selection criteria, taking into account the opinions of the local mayor (municipality) and local governor (prefecture).

In reality, there has been no occurrence of the first literature survey, although more than 10 years have passed since the siting process started. As mentioned before, a scheme of open solicitation was adopted for volunteers to apply for the literature survey, but after the failed attempt of Toyo Town in 2007, another scheme was added in which the government invited municipalities for the literature survey. However, the situation did not improve; rather, after the Fukushima accident the situation is becoming worse.

Facing these difficult situations, the government of Japan decided to take a more positive role in site selection. It is expected that a promising area could be more narrowly defined by screening sites on the basis of existing geological and geo­graphical information.