Survey begins to assess remote island for nuclear disposal site

May 21, 2026

Reported by AI

Japan's waste management organization will carry out a literature review on the geology of Minamitorishima, located nearly 2,000 kilometers from Tokyo, to determine its suitability as a nuclear disposal site.

Minamitorishima lies in the Ogasawara Islands. A literature-based geological review will begin to judge whether the remote site could host nuclear waste.

The step forms an early part of Japan's efforts to manage radioactive waste.

No further timeline or next actions have been announced yet.

Japan confirms massive rare earth deposit near Minamitorishima amid seabed mining push

Japan has identified an enormous underwater rare earth deposit 6,000 meters deep near Minamitorishima, the remote Pacific atoll central to its accelerated deep-sea mining plans. Detailed in a recent WIRED report, the find—building on equipment installation earlier this year—bolsters Tokyo's drive for independence from Chinese supplies of these critical manufacturing materials.

Japan and U.S. to cooperate on rare earth mud off Minami-Torishima

March 13, 2026 Reported by AI

The Japanese and U.S. governments are set to cooperate on developing deep-sea mud rich in rare earths off Minami-Torishima Island in Tokyo's Ogasawara Village. Ahead of a summit on Thursday in Washington between Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and U.S. President Donald Trump, the two sides are advancing toward signing a memorandum to establish a working group on marine mineral resources. This initiative aims to secure a stable supply of critical minerals.

Asia

Japan to survey bear habitats in Niigata and Tohoku region

Asia

Okinawa students visit Hokkaido to learn about Northern Territories

Politics

U.S. to return Yokohama navy housing area to Japan

South Korea protests Japanese event over disputed islands

South Korea has strongly protested a Japanese prefectural event regarding the disputed Takeshima islands, known as Dokdo in Korea. The foreign ministry summoned a top Japanese diplomat in Seoul and called for the immediate abolition of the ceremony. The islets have long been a source of tension between the neighboring countries.

Tepco unveils new robot arm for Fukushima nuclear debris removal

February 25, 2026 Reported by AI

Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings unveiled a new robot arm on Wednesday for the project to remove nuclear fuel debris from its tsunami-crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant. The 22-meter-long arm can grab debris from a wider area than the previously used fishing rod-like devices. Tepco plans to begin setting it up next month and start the third trial at the No. 2 reactor this autumn.

Asia