Arab News Japan

TOKYO: The Tokyo-based Citizens’ Nuclear Information Center says Japan is currently exporting radioactive waste to be refined and disposed of in the United States.

The Center issued a statement on Monday that said the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has been proceeding with its plan to export about 136 tons of uranium ore and ion-exchange resin with absorbed uranium to the White Mesa Mill in Utah, the only uranium smelting facility operating in the United States.

The radioactive material had been stored at the Tono Geoscience Centre in central Japan and the Ningyo-toge Environmental Engineering Center in western Japan.

An NPO called the Grand Canyon Trust reported that aerial pictures of the White Mesa Mill taken on May 16 revealed what appeared to be JAEA containers. According to the bill of lading, the cargo ship that carried the shipment arrived in Washington State on January 16. So far, JAEA has made no announcement regarding the shipment.

The exported substances were produced in the process of uranium mine research and development in Japan. Even after refining, more than 99.5 percent of the material will be stored as slag at the White Mesa Mill, the Center reported, adding that around 70 percent of the radioactivity will remain. 

The cost to Japan was $189 million, it reported. Japan previously exported about 500 tons of uranium contaminated soil to the White Mesa Mill in 2005

White Mesa Mill is situated next to the sacred Native American Bears Ears National Monument and is also adjacent to the Ute Mountain Ute Indigenous People’s White Mesa Community. 

The Center stated: “It is unacceptable to force Japan’s radioactive waste onto indigenous peoples who are already suffering from this issue. We strongly protest this outrageous act by JAEA.”