Abstract
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization of Japan (NUMO) was established in 2000 as the organization responsible for the deep geological disposal of specified radioactive waste. Their siting process was initiated through open solicitation of volunteer host communities. However, no communities came forward with the exception of Toyo Town, which applied for the initial literature survey, but then withdrew the application due to strong opposition in 2007. To identify why the then mayor of Toyo Town failed, we analyzed his behavior and leadership characteristics, including how he collaborated with NUMO and the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (ANRE). We identified the pattern of Machiavellian leadership, which was most likely the reason why he lost credibility and public trust. To improve the future siting process, we identified suitable leadership for high-level radioactive waste (HLW) management based on leadership theories. We determined that servant leadership is suitable because of its focus on the followers, with the achievement of organizational objectives being a subordinate outcome. With servant leadership characteristics, the leaders of NUMO, ANRE, and candidate municipalities may win trust because they value the people of the host communities and empower them to engage in decision-making during the siting process, which can help raise public acceptance.
Highlights
In the light of growing concerns of the impacts of climate change, there is an increasing interest in expanding the role of nuclear power as a step to moving away from fossil fuels [1]
The pattern of behavior and characteristics of a Machiavellian leader were exhibited by the mayor of Toyo Town, which led to the loss of his credibility along with that of Nuclear Waste Management Organization of Japan (NUMO) and ANRE
The pattern of behavior and characteristics of a Machiavellian leader were exhibited by the mayor of Toyo Town, which led to the loss of his credibility along with NUMO and ANRE
Summary
In the light of growing concerns of the impacts of climate change, there is an increasing interest in expanding the role of nuclear power as a step to moving away from fossil fuels [1]. In order to clarify a promising alternative leadership to the past leadership in the field of nuclear power and how such suitable leadership can contribute to getting people to believe in ethical responsibilities as a society and to win their trust, we will analyze the behavior and leadership characteristics of the mayor of Toyo Town, who applied for a literature survey, and will study how the mayor collaborated with NUMO and ANRE Based on his leadership shortcomings which led to the withdrawal of Toyo Town’s application, we will define the ideal behavior of a leader for HLW management by using the leadership characteristics we have found through a systematic literature review of leadership theories. We will describe how leaders of NUMO, ANRE, and candidate municipalities can exhibit the characteristics of suitable leadership for successful HLW management in Japan by modifying the functions of ideal leaders identified by the systematic literature review as well as taking into account the results of the study of Takeuchi et al [15]
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