Resident briefing session on container storage

A briefing session was held for residents of Neighborhood Association Neighborhood Associations (Neighborhood Associations Kamigo, Neighborhood Association Nagakuramachi, and Neopolis Neighborhood Association) in the vicinity of the former Sakae Plant, where containers are stored.

• August 24, 2014 from 14:00 to 15:45
• August 28, 2014 from 19:00 to 20:40
• A total of 35 participants

Question What is the reason for storing containers?
Answer The time required to secure (production) transport containers to dispose of waste generated by the Great East Japan Earthquake over a wide area, which led to a delay in wide-area treatment. The use of this container is expected to be effective in preparation for the event of an earthquake, so the Ministry of the Environment requested that the container be stored by local governments.

Question What is the reason why the storage location became the former Sakae Plant?
Answer The former Sakae Plant must have space for storing 47 of the facilities in Resources and Waste Recycling Bureau. In addition, the earthquake resistance is sufficient, there is no fear of tsunami and close to highways.

Q. When will you use containers in the future?
Answer When a large-scale disaster occurs in Yokohama City, and when disaster waste is wide area in other cities, etc., containers are used to transport waste to other cities. In addition, we will provide containers when large-scale disasters occur in other municipalities, and we will provide containers to cooperate in quick disaster waste disposal and reconstruction.

Question Does the container have the contents? Also, are there any plans to store disaster waste in the future?
Answer The inside of the container is empty, and we wash and paint before reaching the city. In addition, we will not store disaster waste in the future.

Question What kind of waste did the container carry?
Answer In Rikuzentakata, Ofunato, and Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture, we used to transport demolition of buildings damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake and the tsunami.

What is the radiation dose in the container? Do you measure even after storage?
Answer The radiation dose in the container is the same as the spatial radiation dose in the area where you live, and there is no radiation problem at all, but we will continue to measure and publish it.

Question How long will the container be stored?
Answer The Ministry of the Environment has requested that it be stored for 5 years, but we would like to keep it for as long as possible based on the purpose of storing it in case of a major earthquake in the future.

Question Will the container be the one of Yokohama?
Answer Received a free transfer from Nippon Express Co., Ltd., which currently owns a container, and will be a property of Yokohama City.

The other opinions received are as follows.

• If safety is confirmed, there is no reason to oppose it.
• Why are 47 units? From the experience of providing support to affected areas, I feel that 47 units are few.
• Isn't there a misunderstanding in this container? There is a misunderstanding that we carried waste related to the nuclear power plant.
• When I heard this content, I felt that there was no further discussion. In that case, we should proceed with a little safety.
• I think it can be forcibly carried in, but it always leaves a lump. It is not against container storage, but I would like you to postpone the import for about a month and listen to the opinions of the residents before proceeding.
• It should be explained to the residents of the Sakae Ward and proceed with the agreement and consent of the residents.
• It's hard to say that reputational damage leads first. I want you to make it a little easier to understand and think it's safe.
• It should be stored in dispersed. If you really want to use it, I want you to draw a little more scenario when using it.
• If I was able to participate in the first stage, I think it would have been possible to receive it with a little more positive attitude.