Japan to develop new nuclear waste disposal technology

Involves extracting radioactive substances from spent nuclear fuel.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has convened a panel of experts to develop a technology that will reduce the amount of time radioactive waste from nuclear plants is considered harmful to hundreds of years from thousands of years. The plan involves extracting long-lasting radioactive substances from spent nuclear fuel.

Experts believe that by using neutrons created in particle accelerators, these radioactive material can be changed into shorter-lasting materials. If the plan succeeds, it will also cut the disposal space needed for the waste to about a hundredth of current estimates.

Experts, however, noted many problems that must be overcome, particularly about safety. They believe it will take decades before the plan can be put into action. Hiroyuki Oigawa of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency said that, if Japan secure international support, the plan could be put into practical use in about 20 to 30 years.