Policy on treatment and disposal of radioactive wastes

The Committee on Countermeasures to Radioactive Wastes had presented the interim report to the Atomic Energy Commission in August, 1984. At that time, the main organ which executes the treatment and disposal of radioactive wastes and the way of sharing the responsibility were left as the future problems. This report is the results of examination on these problems, and the Committee hopes that the policy on the treatment and disposal of radioactive wastes is steadily promoted on the basis of these reports. The proper and sure treatment and disposal of radioactive wastes are the responsibility of waste producers, as a rule. But the state must accomplish the proper role in the execution of waste disposal, especially that of high level radioactive wastes. When special businesses treat and dispose concentratedly radioactive wastes, they are responsible for ensuring the safety. But in this case, it is important that waste producers bear the cost required for the treatment and disposal, and give proper assistance to the waste businesses so as to smoothly carry out the treatment and disposal. The treatment and disposal of low level and high level radioactive wastes, the wastes accompanying fuel reprocessing returned from foreign countries, and TRU wastes are reported. (Kako, I.)