1995
On August 21, 1995, JNC officially announced the MIU Project for a comprehensive geoscientific research program featuring construction of an underground research laboratory at the Shobasama site belonging to JNC in Mizunami city.

On December 28, 1995, the municipal government of Mizunami and Toki, the government of Gifu Prefecture and JNC signed an agreement that sets out a basic plan for safety for conducting the research program in the laboratory. The agreement also outlines measures for ensuring public involvement.

1996
The MIU Project was initiated in 1996 at the Shobasama site, where construction of URL facilities had been planned. Hydrogeological modeling and groundwater flow analyses in and around the site were performed.

2002
The site for construction of URL facilities was relocated in January 2002, from the Shobasama site to an area of city-owned land nearby(the MIU construction site) after concluding a lease contract with Mizunami City.

The construction of facilities in the MIU Construction Site commenced in July.