Japanese gov't begins nuclear waste site survey on Minamitori Island

TOKYO - A Japanese quasi-government body overseeing the disposal of nuclear waste said Wednesday it has commenced a survey on the suitability of Minamitori Island, Japan's easternmost island, as a potential disposal site.

The preliminary survey -- the initial part of a three-stage, 20-year process to select a permanent storage site for waste from nuclear power generation -- marks the fourth such site in Japan, following Suttsu, Kamoenai and Genkai.