Assembly members of Shimamaki in Hokkaido approve an ordinance to ban nuclear waste from being brought into the village on Dec. 15. (Pool)
Opposition has sprung up in communities near two municipalities in Hokkaido that intend to host final disposal sites for highly radioactive nuclear waste.
However, the town of Suttsu and the village of Kamoenai have shown no signs that they will even listen to the arguments of their neighbors.
At least two ordinances have been adopted to oppose their waste plans, although they are not legally binding.
Suttsu and Kamoenai have applied to the economy ministry to host final storage facilities for nuclear waste generated at the various power plants across Japan.