Horonobe URL project; Present status and future plans

Matsui, Hiroya ; Kurikami, Hiroshi  ; Kunimaru, Takanori; Morioka, Hiroshi; Hatanaka, Koichiro

JAEA is developing two off-site underground research laboratory projects: one in sedimentary rock (Horonobe, Hokkaido) and the other in crystalline rock (Mizunami, Gifu) in Japan. Horonobe's URL project consists of three major phases: (1) surface-based investigation (Phase I); (2) construction (Phase II); and, (3) operation (Phase III). At present, Phase II has been started. In parallel, predictions of potential changes in the geological environment prevailing around the URL are in progress. This paper mainly gives an overview of the technical aspects covered by Phase I as well as presents the design for the URL. Future plans after Phase II are briefly introduced as well.