Rokkasho

Rokkasho is a village located in Kamikita District, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. It is situated on the Pacific coast of the Shimokita Peninsula. Rokkasho is primarily known for its role in Japan's nuclear fuel cycle.

The Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant, operated by Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited (JNFL), is located in the village. This plant is designed to reprocess spent nuclear fuel from Japanese nuclear power plants, extracting plutonium and uranium for reuse. The facility also houses uranium enrichment and MOX fuel fabrication plants. The Rokkasho site is intended to be a key component of Japan's closed nuclear fuel cycle policy.

The construction and operation of the Rokkasho facilities have been subject to significant public debate and controversy, both domestically and internationally. Concerns have been raised regarding safety, environmental impact (particularly relating to potential seismic activity and radioactive waste management), and proliferation risks associated with plutonium extraction. Local residents have expressed concerns about the impact on agriculture and fishing industries.

The village has received substantial economic benefits from the presence of the nuclear facilities, including employment opportunities and infrastructure development. However, the reliance on nuclear energy has also created economic vulnerability due to fluctuating energy policies and public sentiment. Rokkasho's history is deeply intertwined with Japan's energy policy and the ongoing debate surrounding nuclear power.