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US objects to Japan’s plans for Rokkasho nuclear reprocessing Posted on May 2, 2013 by John Hofilena inPoliticswith1 Comment The Rokkasho nuclear reprocessing plant located in Japan’s northern Aomori Prefecture is capable of putting out nine tons of weapons-grade plutonium in a year, and this is exactly why the United States is opposing Japan’s plan to reprocess its nuclear fuel. The annual output of the facility, once at full capacity, is enough to build as many as 2,000 nuclear weapons, a fact not lost on Washington, as Tokyo insists that the program is non-military in nature. The Japanese government has...

Japan's leaders must face country's 'latent' possession of nuclear weapons In the 27 years since the application for the construction of a reprocessing plant was lodged with Rokkasho, the village has undergone tremendous change. Massive cranes have been brought in, and hefty structures have gone up one after another. Nuclear money has brought wealth to the village, making its per capita income the highest of any municipality in Aomori Prefecture. Despite some twists and turns, the national project was getting closer to becoming a reality. There's a little "secret" to the reprocessing plant, however. On July 17, 1988, Japan implemented...

Japan's Other Nuclear Disaster Yas Idei, 04.06.11, 06:00 PM EDT Forbes Magazine dated April 25, 2011 At the nuke dump in Rokkasho, a nation's hunger for power has spawned a financial catastrophe. In many ways the 11,000 villagers in Rokkasho, on the northeastern tip of Japan's main island, are blessed. While other towns in the remote region are run-down and financially strapped, Rokkasho boasts gleaming public buildings, immaculate recreation facilities and free picture-phones in every home. Rare in a land of massive public debt, its government has a $100 million surplus. At $170,000 per capita income is triple Tokyo's. The...