At 9:00 yesterday, six trucks carrying tsunami debris from Ishinomaki (Miyagi Prefecture) into Kitakyushu (Fukuoka) were met by approximately 30 local protesters in Kitakyushu. The delivery of 80 tons of earthquake rubble, from the 2011 Tokohu disaster, was delayed by eight and a half hours due to protesters. By 17:30, Police were able to disperse the group and the materials were successfully delivered to the plants. Kitakyushu city received the rubble for a test-run: they will incinerate 32 tons at a factory in Kokura-kitaku, and 48 tons at another factory in Moji-ku between May 23~25. During the test-run, radiation levels in the air and ash around the two incineration plants will be measured and, based on these findings, municipal government will decide whether they will accept more rubble. Protesters are concerned about the possibility that the rubble may be radioactive, however the waste is reportedly mostly wood chips and mainly with radioactive cesium levels below 100 becquerels per kilogram and therefore of no danger. It was reported that two protesters were arrested. Sources:http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/item/303701 and http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120523a4.html
(note: attatched photo not related directly to this story and only for image purpose)
