Tokyo is exploring the use of a remote, uninhabited Pacific island as a potential site for burying nuclear waste, officials said on Tuesday. The move comes as Japan seeks to increase its reliance on nuclear energy 15 years after the Fukushima Da-ichi disaster, which led to a nationwide shift away from nuclear power.

Exploring Minamitorishima

Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryosei Akazawa said the government wants to conduct a preliminary survey on Minamitorishima, the nation’s easternmost island in the Pacific, to determine if it is suitable for hosting a nuclear waste facility. The island, which is uninhabited by civilians and off-limits to tourists, has “some unexplored landmass capable of hosting a facility,” Akazawa told reporters.

Minamitorishima is a triangle-shaped island surrounded by a coral atoll and has “scientifically favorable traits” for such a project, according to Akazawa. The government has submitted a request to a Tokyo municipality that administers the island to inspect its land conditions and volcanic activity through geological documents. This is the first stage of a three-part survey to select the ultimate disposal site.

Significance for Japan’s Energy Policy

The proposal to use Minamitorishima for nuclear waste storage is part of Japan’s broader strategy to increase the use of nuclear power as a clean energy source. The country has been gradually moving back toward nuclear energy since the Fukushima disaster, which occurred in 2011, leading to the shutdown of all operational reactors. As of 2026, Japan has restarted several reactors and plans to operate up to 22 reactors by 2030.

“We need to ensure that nuclear power is used safely and responsibly,” Akazawa said, emphasizing the importance of finding a secure location for nuclear waste. The proposed site on Minamitorishima could provide a long-term solution for storing spent nuclear fuel, which remains hazardous for thousands of years.

The Japanese government faces significant public opposition to nuclear energy, particularly in the wake of the Fukushima disaster. However, with growing concerns about climate change and energy security, the government is pushing for a more balanced energy mix that includes nuclear power.

What Analysts Say

Experts say that the decision to consider Minamitorishima as a potential site for nuclear waste storage is a significant step for Japan’s energy policy. “This move reflects a shift in public opinion and government strategy regarding nuclear energy,” said Hiroshi Tanaka, a senior energy analyst at the Tokyo Institute of Policy Research.

Tanaka noted that the government has been working to rebuild public trust in nuclear energy, which was severely damaged after the Fukushima disaster. He said that the selection of a remote island for nuclear waste storage could help alleviate concerns about the safety of nuclear power.

“The government is trying to show that it is taking a responsible approach to nuclear energy by finding a secure location for waste storage,” Tanaka said. “This could be a turning point in the public’s perception of nuclear power in Japan.”

The Japanese government plans to complete the preliminary survey on Minamitorishima by the end of 2026. If the survey is successful, the government will move forward with a more detailed assessment of the island’s suitability for hosting a nuclear waste facility.

The government has also proposed a new nuclear waste management strategy that includes the development of advanced recycling technologies and the construction of a new nuclear waste storage facility. The strategy is expected to be finalized by the end of the year.