AOMORI (Kyodo) Local groups opposed to a planned test of a nuclear-fuel reprocessing plant in Rokkasho, Aomori Prefecture, called Saturday for a referendum by prefectural residents.
Representatives of eight groups handed Aomori Gov. Shingo Mimura an appeal calling for the referendum at a meeting he held in the city of Aomori to hear opinion from area opponents. The participants urged the prefectural government to halt the test.
"There would be no fix if an accident happens," one participant said. "Nuclear waste would continue piling up in the prefecture," said another.
On Feb. 20, the Nuclear Safety Commission endorsed Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd.'s plan for the test run.