why:
Confronting the great task of human civilization: the final disposal of radioactive waste.
放射性廃棄物の最終処分という文明の宿題。
Nuclear power generation, which Japan has been engaged in since the 1960s, produces radioactive waste that is harmful to humans. The high-level radioactive waste (HLW) that remains after reprocessing used fuel is currently managed at the High-Level Radioactive Waste Storage and Management Center in Rokkasho Village, Aomori Prefecture, but it will take an extremely long time, up to tens of thousands of years, for the radioactivity levels of this waste to fully decay. After conducting various studies, it is believed that the best way to dispose of HLW is through "geological disposal," i.e., sealing it in stable bedrock deep underground and isolating it from the human environment, instead of leaving it to human management. However, Japan has yet to decide on a final disposal site, and many countries around the world have yet to reach a consensus on the final disposal of radioactive waste.
Even with the global shift toward renewable energy, a final disposal site for the approximately 25,000 units of radioactive waste that already exists throughout Japan and which continues to be generated today is surely needed someday in order to ensure the safety of people living on earth. However, the gaps in the necessary dialogue to achieve this goal have not been bridged, and this major task that confronts human civilization continues to be put off.
Even with the global shift toward renewable energy, a final disposal site for the approximately 25,000 units of radioactive waste that already exists throughout Japan and which continues to be generated today is surely needed someday in order to ensure the safety of people living on earth. However, the gaps in the necessary dialogue to achieve this goal have not been bridged, and this major task that confronts human civilization continues to be put off.
日本が1960年代から行ってきた原子力発電は、人間に有害な放射性廃棄物を生み出します。使い終えた燃料を再処理した後に残る高レベル放射性廃棄物は現在、青森県六ヶ所村の高レベル放射性廃棄物貯蔵管理センターで管理されていますが、放射能レベルが十分に減衰するまでには数万年という非常に長い時間を要します。さまざまな検討を通じて、高レベル放射性廃棄物は人間による管理に委ねず、地下深くの安定した岩盤に閉じ込め、人間の生活環境から隔離する「地層処分」が最適だと考えられています。しかし未だに日本では最終処分場が決まっておらず、世界中の多くの国々も放射性廃棄物の最終処分に関する合意形成ができていないのが現状です。
再生可能エネルギーへのシフトが世界的に進んでいるとはいえ、すでに日本中に約25,000個存在し、現在も発生し続けている放射性廃棄物の最終処分場は、地球に暮らす人々の安全を守るために、いつか必ず必要になる場所です。しかし実現のための対話の溝は埋まっておらず、文明に課された大きな宿題は先送りにされ続けています。
再生可能エネルギーへのシフトが世界的に進んでいるとはいえ、すでに日本中に約25,000個存在し、現在も発生し続けている放射性廃棄物の最終処分場は、地球に暮らす人々の安全を守るために、いつか必ず必要になる場所です。しかし実現のための対話の溝は埋まっておらず、文明に課された大きな宿題は先送りにされ続けています。
The amount of spent nuclear fuel stored within nuclear power plants and reprocessing plants (September 2018).
原子力発電所内および再処理工場における使用済核燃料貯蔵量（2018年9月時点）
how:
Integrating radioactive waste disposal with renewable energy policy.
放射性廃棄物処分と再生可能エネルギー政策の融合。
The Radioactive Waste Management Funding and Research Center (RWMC), Japan's only research and funding management agency specializing in radioactive waste, approached us to use evolution thinking to devise an ingenious strategy that can address this major challenge. In response, we have compiled the "Design Strategy Proposal for the Final Disposal of Radioactive Waste."
Currently, there are many people who oppose the final disposal plan. The majority of these people are opponents of the nuclear power generation policy itself.
In view of this, we have highlighted the importance of having a strategy that separates nuclear power generation policy from radioactive waste disposal policy and conveys the necessity of final disposal from a neutral standpoint, regardless of whether one is a proponent or opponent of nuclear power generation.
Currently, there are many people who oppose the final disposal plan. The majority of these people are opponents of the nuclear power generation policy itself.
In view of this, we have highlighted the importance of having a strategy that separates nuclear power generation policy from radioactive waste disposal policy and conveys the necessity of final disposal from a neutral standpoint, regardless of whether one is a proponent or opponent of nuclear power generation.
放射性廃棄物に特化した日本唯一の調査研究および資金管理機関である原子力環境整備促進・資金管理センター（原環センター）より、「進化思考を使って、この大きな課題の妙案となる戦略を考えてほしい」という依頼を受け「放射性廃棄物最終処分のためのデザイン戦略提言」をまとめました。
現在、最終処分計画に反対する人たちは少なくありません。こうした方々の多くは、原子力発電政策そのものに反対しています。
そこで私たちは原子力発電政策と放射性廃棄物処分政策を切り分け、親原発／反原発を問わない中立な立場から最終処分の必要性を伝えていく戦略の重要性を提案しました。
現在、最終処分計画に反対する人たちは少なくありません。こうした方々の多くは、原子力発電政策そのものに反対しています。
そこで私たちは原子力発電政策と放射性廃棄物処分政策を切り分け、親原発／反原発を問わない中立な立場から最終処分の必要性を伝えていく戦略の重要性を提案しました。
In terms of specific actions, we believe it is vital to first dispel the misconception that the final disposal policy serves to promote nuclear power generation. Even if all the existing nuclear power plants in Japan were to be decommissioned with immediate effect, approximately 25,000 units of radioactive waste would still remain. This is an issue that requires consideration over a time frame of tens of thousands of years, until the radioactive waste decays to the radiation level of natural uranium. On the other hand, our current nuclear power generation technology has undergone drastic changes in just a few decades, and it is clearly not an energy framework that mankind will continue to rely on for a period of time as long as the nuclear waste problem.
Therefore, in this proposal, we recommended abolishing the concept of "genshiryoku hatsuden kankyo seibi" (literally, "nuclear power generation environment development") from Japan's radioactive waste disposal policy and changing the logo and the Japanese name of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization of Japan (NUMO), "Genshiryoku Hatsuden Kankyo Seibi Kiko," to "Hoshaseihaikibutsu Anzen Kanri Kiko" (literally, "Radioactive Waste Safety Management Organization"). To begin with, there has always been a curious discrepancy between the Japanese name of the organization and its current English name, Nuclear Waste Management Organization of Japan (NUMO), which is closer to our proposed name when back-translated into Japanese. At the same time, we also proposed changing the "genshiryoku kankyo seibi" (literally, "nuclear power environment development") part of the Japanese name of the Radioactive Waste Management Funding and Research Center (RWMC), "Genshiryoku Kankyo Seibi Sokushin/Shikin Kanri Senta," by renaming it as "Hoshaseihaikibutsu Anzen Kanri Senta" (literally, "Radioactive Waste Safety Management Center"). This would allow people to start thinking about Japan's radioactive waste disposal policy separately from its nuclear power policy.
Therefore, in this proposal, we recommended abolishing the concept of "genshiryoku hatsuden kankyo seibi" (literally, "nuclear power generation environment development") from Japan's radioactive waste disposal policy and changing the logo and the Japanese name of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization of Japan (NUMO), "Genshiryoku Hatsuden Kankyo Seibi Kiko," to "Hoshaseihaikibutsu Anzen Kanri Kiko" (literally, "Radioactive Waste Safety Management Organization"). To begin with, there has always been a curious discrepancy between the Japanese name of the organization and its current English name, Nuclear Waste Management Organization of Japan (NUMO), which is closer to our proposed name when back-translated into Japanese. At the same time, we also proposed changing the "genshiryoku kankyo seibi" (literally, "nuclear power environment development") part of the Japanese name of the Radioactive Waste Management Funding and Research Center (RWMC), "Genshiryoku Kankyo Seibi Sokushin/Shikin Kanri Senta," by renaming it as "Hoshaseihaikibutsu Anzen Kanri Senta" (literally, "Radioactive Waste Safety Management Center"). This would allow people to start thinking about Japan's radioactive waste disposal policy separately from its nuclear power policy.
具体的なアクションとして、まずは最終処分政策が原子力発電を推進するものであるという誤解を解くことが大切だと考えました。仮に現在の日本からすべての原子力発電所が即座に廃炉されたとしても、およそ25,000本に及ぶ放射性廃棄物は依然として残ります。そしてこの問題は、放射性廃棄物が天然ウラン並みの放射線量に弱まるまでの数万年単位のタイムスパンで考える必要があります。かたや現在の原子力発電技術は数十年単位で激変しており、廃棄物の問題ほどには長期間人類が頼り続けるエネルギーの仕組みではないことが明白だからです。
そこで本提言では放射性廃棄物処分の政策から「原子力発電環境整備」という考え方を廃し、NUMO(原子力発電環境整備機構)のロゴや名称を「放射性廃棄物安全管理機構」に変更する提案をしました。本来、現在の英語名であるNUMO(NUCLEAR WASTE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION OF JAPAN)を直訳すれば、上記の訳になるにも関わらず、不思議なずれが生じていたのです。また同時に、原子力環境整備促進・資金管理センター（原環センター）の「原子力環境整備促進」を、「放射性廃棄物安全管理センター」という名称に見直す提案もしました。 それによって日本の廃棄物処分政策を、原子力政策から切り離して考え始めることが可能になります。
そこで本提言では放射性廃棄物処分の政策から「原子力発電環境整備」という考え方を廃し、NUMO(原子力発電環境整備機構)のロゴや名称を「放射性廃棄物安全管理機構」に変更する提案をしました。本来、現在の英語名であるNUMO(NUCLEAR WASTE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION OF JAPAN)を直訳すれば、上記の訳になるにも関わらず、不思議なずれが生じていたのです。また同時に、原子力環境整備促進・資金管理センター（原環センター）の「原子力環境整備促進」を、「放射性廃棄物安全管理センター」という名称に見直す提案もしました。 それによって日本の廃棄物処分政策を、原子力政策から切り離して考え始めることが可能になります。
It is also very important to share our reflections on the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011 in an honest way. This accident debunked the myth of the safety of nuclear power. Nevertheless, a large amount of used nuclear fuel is still stored at nuclear power plants in coastal areas. As long as this remains the case, there is no guarantee that another accident will not occur. The first step that should be taken is to acknowledge past failures and current risks and show the resolve to avoid another tragic accident. Demonstrating the dangers of the current long-term storage of used nuclear fuel in nuclear power plants and quantitatively visualizing the significantly greater safety of used fuel following geological disposal than at present should be effective in promoting a greater understanding of final disposal.
After separating final disposal policy from nuclear power policy, we included in our proposal details on strengthening the development and coordination of renewable energy policy as well as on transforming the participating area into a leader in the development of renewable energy.
Creating a society built on sustainable energy is a shared goal even among opponents of nuclear power who are currently opposed to the final disposal policy. Our proposal to leverage the development of the town as a leader in the promotion of renewable energy to attract industry to the final disposal site is not only effective as a regional industrial policy but is also expected to promote a greater understanding of the policy.
After separating final disposal policy from nuclear power policy, we included in our proposal details on strengthening the development and coordination of renewable energy policy as well as on transforming the participating area into a leader in the development of renewable energy.
Creating a society built on sustainable energy is a shared goal even among opponents of nuclear power who are currently opposed to the final disposal policy. Our proposal to leverage the development of the town as a leader in the promotion of renewable energy to attract industry to the final disposal site is not only effective as a regional industrial policy but is also expected to promote a greater understanding of the policy.
2011年の福島第一原発事故への反省を真摯に発信することも大変重要なことです。この事故によって原子力発電の安全神話は崩壊しました。それにも関わらず、現在も大量の使用済み核燃料が沿岸部の原発に保管されています。この状態を継続する限り、また不慮の事故が起こらないとも限りません。過去の失敗や現在のリスクを認めた上で、痛ましい事故を二度と起こさない決意を示すことがはじめの一歩となるでしょう。現在の使用済み核燃料の原発内での長期保管の危険性を示し、現在よりも地層処分後の方がはるかに安全性が高い事実を数字で可視化することが、最終処分への理解を促す上で有効なはずです。
最終処分政策を原子力政策と切り離した上で、再生エネルギー政策の発展と連携を強化し、誘致先を再生可能エネルギーの先端開発地域とする内容を提言に盛り込みました。
現在、最終処分政策に反対する脱原発派の方々にとっても、持続可能なエネルギーの社会をつくることは共通のテーマです。再生可能エネルギーの先端推進タウンの実現を採用地の産業誘致につなげる提案は、地域の産業政策として有効なだけでなく、政策への理解を促す効果も期待できます。
最終処分政策を原子力政策と切り離した上で、再生エネルギー政策の発展と連携を強化し、誘致先を再生可能エネルギーの先端開発地域とする内容を提言に盛り込みました。
現在、最終処分政策に反対する脱原発派の方々にとっても、持続可能なエネルギーの社会をつくることは共通のテーマです。再生可能エネルギーの先端推進タウンの実現を採用地の産業誘致につなげる提案は、地域の産業政策として有効なだけでなく、政策への理解を促す効果も期待できます。
How we should design a facility that will leave a mark on the history of mankind is also an important consideration. The current plan is to build a large embankment that measures 1 square kilometer next to the final disposal site. We proposed a design concept that involves designing a 1 square-kilometer mega solar power plant to occupy this land and creating the world's largest Geiger counter, "HYPER GEIGER," which can beautifully visualize the wind and radiation levels in the surrounding area, making it a sacred site that continues to raise awareness of the importance of safety.
人類史に残る施設を、どのように設計するかも重要なテーマとなるでしょう。最終処分場の隣には1km四方の膨大な盛り土が生まれる予定です。その土地を活用した1km四方のメガソーラーを設計し、そこに流れる風と放射線量が美しく可視化される世界一巨大なガイガーカウンター「HYPER GIGER」をつくり、安全を発信し続ける聖地とするデザインコンセプトを提案しました。
In terms of communication, we emphasized the need to convey the intricacy of the policy by moving away from caricatures and rough sketches and toward more realistic CG illustrations and descriptions in order to accurately convey the safety of geological disposal.
No one knows what will actually happen tens of thousands of years from now. We should probably assume that our current language will no longer be understood. Therefore, we stressed the need to take the future seriously over a time frame on the scale of tens of thousands of years and to raise awareness of our commitment to fulfilling our responsibility to future generations by communicating with humans and other forms of intelligent life tens of thousands of years from now, as well as by envisioning various potential environmental changes.
No one knows what will actually happen tens of thousands of years from now. We should probably assume that our current language will no longer be understood. Therefore, we stressed the need to take the future seriously over a time frame on the scale of tens of thousands of years and to raise awareness of our commitment to fulfilling our responsibility to future generations by communicating with humans and other forms of intelligent life tens of thousands of years from now, as well as by envisioning various potential environmental changes.
コミュニケーション面では、地層処分の安全性を正確に伝えるために、ポンチ絵的な表現から脱却し、よりリアルなCGによる図示・説明を強化することで、政策の精緻性を伝える必要を訴えました。
数万年後のことは誰にも分かりません。現在の言語は通じないと思ったほうが良いでしょう。そこで数万年規模のタイムスケールで未来と真摯に向き合い、数万年後の人類・知的生命とのコミュニケーションや、あらゆる環境の変化を想定することを通じて、未来の世代に責任を果たす姿勢を広報する必要性を訴えました。
数万年後のことは誰にも分かりません。現在の言語は通じないと思ったほうが良いでしょう。そこで数万年規模のタイムスケールで未来と真摯に向き合い、数万年後の人類・知的生命とのコミュニケーションや、あらゆる環境の変化を想定することを通じて、未来の世代に責任を果たす姿勢を広報する必要性を訴えました。
will:
Facing the Future with Sincerity—Toward the Realization of Final Disposal.
ここにプロジェクトの未来像を書く。日本語のWHYをこちらに記述 (paste Japanese why here)
The design strategy that we proposed received a very positive response, especially from experts in the field of the final disposal of radioactive waste. However, this proposal has not reached the point of being incorporated as part of a concrete policy.
The final disposal of radioactive waste is a highly challenging issue that involves many different stakeholders, but there is no doubt that such a facility is a necessity for mankind and essential for the future of Japan. To achieve this goal, it is important to convey a strategy that resonates with as many people as possible and deepens their understanding of the issue at hand.
No one knows what the future holds tens of thousands of years from now. However, precisely because we lack this knowledge, it is crucial that we take the future seriously, convey the importance of our actions for the future, and develop new methods that are necessary for the future, without being held back by attitudes of the past. We believe that by continuing to convey our good faith, we will be able to build consensus with the final disposal site and foster a place that plays a vital role in Japan's future.
The final disposal of radioactive waste is a highly challenging issue that involves many different stakeholders, but there is no doubt that such a facility is a necessity for mankind and essential for the future of Japan. To achieve this goal, it is important to convey a strategy that resonates with as many people as possible and deepens their understanding of the issue at hand.
No one knows what the future holds tens of thousands of years from now. However, precisely because we lack this knowledge, it is crucial that we take the future seriously, convey the importance of our actions for the future, and develop new methods that are necessary for the future, without being held back by attitudes of the past. We believe that by continuing to convey our good faith, we will be able to build consensus with the final disposal site and foster a place that plays a vital role in Japan's future.
未来と真摯に向き合い、最終処分の実現へ。
我々が提言したデザイン戦略は、放射性廃棄物最終処分の専門家を中心に非常に良い反応を得ました。しかしながら本提言は、まだ具体的政策には盛り込まれるところまで至っていません。
放射性廃棄物の最終処分は、さまざまなステークホルダーがいる非常に難しい課題ですが、必ず人類に必要な施設であり、日本の将来に不可欠なものでもあります。その実現のためには多くの人たちに共感いただける戦略を発信し、理解を深めてもらうことが大切です。
数万年先の未来のことは誰にもわかりません。しかし、わからないからこそ、過去の文脈にとらわれず、未来のために真摯に向き合い、未来にとっての必要性を伝え、未来にとって必要な新しい方法をつくり出すことが大切です。その誠実さを伝え続けることによって採用地との合意形成が果たされ、日本の未来に必要な場所を実現できると信じています。
我々が提言したデザイン戦略は、放射性廃棄物最終処分の専門家を中心に非常に良い反応を得ました。しかしながら本提言は、まだ具体的政策には盛り込まれるところまで至っていません。
放射性廃棄物の最終処分は、さまざまなステークホルダーがいる非常に難しい課題ですが、必ず人類に必要な施設であり、日本の将来に不可欠なものでもあります。その実現のためには多くの人たちに共感いただける戦略を発信し、理解を深めてもらうことが大切です。
数万年先の未来のことは誰にもわかりません。しかし、わからないからこそ、過去の文脈にとらわれず、未来のために真摯に向き合い、未来にとっての必要性を伝え、未来にとって必要な新しい方法をつくり出すことが大切です。その誠実さを伝え続けることによって採用地との合意形成が果たされ、日本の未来に必要な場所を実現できると信じています。
what:
who:
Social design by evolutional creativity.
Design Strategy
NOSIGNER(Eisuke Tachikawa)
Client
Radioactive waste management funding and research center
Design Strategy
NOSIGNER(Eisuke Tachikawa)
Client
Radioactive waste management funding and research center
where:
Japan
when:
2019