Horonobe Underground Research Center

Technical publications

Access is provided to a range of JAEA report series and journal articles, which are arranged into 8 categories shown below.

Project overview Long-term geosphere stability Geology and geological structure Hydrogeology Hydrogeochemistory Rock mechanics and engineering technology Repository technology Safety assessment

Project overview

Funaki, H., Matsui, H., Hama, K., Kunimaru, T., Ishii, E. and Kurikami, H. (2005): “Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory Project -The Present Understanding of Geological Environment-”, International Workshop on Waste Management in Sapporo (Sapporo Workshop 2005): Report, pp.125-127.
Hatanaka, K. (2005): “Progress of the surface-based investigation phase and plan for the next investigation phase in Horonobe URL project”, International Workshop on Waste Management in Sapporo (Sapporo Workshop 2005): Abstract, pp.1-2.
Matsui, H., Kurikami, H., Kunimaru, T., Morioka, H. and Hatanaka, K. (2007): “Horonobe URL project; Present status and future plan”, Rock Mechanics: Proceedings of the 1st Canada-US Rock Mechanics Symposium, pp.1193-1201.
Osawa, H., Umeki, H., Ota, K., Hama, K., Sawada, A., Takeuchi, S., Semba, T., Takase, H. and McKinley, I. G. (2009): “Development of next-generation technology for integrated site characterization of deep geological repositories”, Proceedings of International Waste Management Symposium 2009 (WM '09).
Semba, T., Mizuno, T., Hama, K. and Iwatsuki, T. (2009): “Development of advanced support system for site investigation”, American Geophysical Union 2009 Fall Meeting.
Abe, H. and Hatanaka, K. (2010): “Current Status of Horonobe URL Project in Construction Phase”, The 13th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management (ICEM2010), October 3-7, 2010, Tsukuba, Japan, ICEM2010-40069.
Ota, K., Amano, K., Niizato, T., Alexander, W.R. and Yamanaka, Y. (2010): “Development of comprehensive techniques for coastal site characterisation: Part 1 Strategic overview”, roceedings of the ASME 13th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management (ICEM2010), October 3-7, 2010, Tsukuba, Japan, ICEM2010-40056.
Sato, H., Sugita, Y., Nakamaya, M. and Hatanaka, K. (2010): “Status of the Horonobe URL project in construction phase and outline of in-situ investigation and experiment plan in the underground facilities”, The 6th Japan-Korea Joint Workshop on Radioactive Waste Disposal 2010; Practice to Science and Engineering.
Semba, T., Takeuchi, S., Tokiwa, T., Niizato, T. and Osawa, H. (2010): “Technical know-how and decision process for geoscientific investigation of geological disposal of HLW (1) Overview of Information Synthesis and Interpretation System (ISIS) and application of investigation methodology in URL program to the characterization of accretionary complex”, Joint Meeting of Korean and Japanese Geological Societies, Muroto Geopark.
Kunimaru, T., Takeuchi, R. and Matsuzaki, T. (2011): “Technical know-how of selection process for the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory area and site”, Proceedings of 14th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management (ICEM 2011), pp.1185-1194.
Ota., K., Kunimaru, T., Amano, K. and Alexander, W. R. (2011): “Development of quality management system for site characterisation programmes; Experience in Japan”, Proceedings of 14th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management (ICEM 2011).
Saegusa, H., Niizato, T., Yasue, K., Onoe, H. and Doke, R. (2011): ”Technical know-how of site descriptive modeling for site characterization”, Proceedings of 14th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management (ICEM 2011), pp.1451-1460.
Sato, H., Sugita, Y. and Nakamaya, M. (2011): “Status of the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory Project, Hokkaido, Japan, and future plan”, Proceedings of 19th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE-19).

Long-term geosphere stability

Kawamura, A., Oi, T., Makino, H., Umeda, K., Niizato, T., Ishimaru, T. and Seno, T. (2006): “Study on evaluation method for potential impacts of “natural phenomena” on a HLW disposal system”, Proceedings of 2006 East Asia Forum on Radwaste Management Conference (2006 EAFORM Conference), pp.350-367.
Kawamura, M., Umeda, K., Oi, T., Ishimaru, T., Niizato, T., Yasue, K. and Makino, H. (2007): “Study on potential changes in geological and disposal environment caused by “natural phenomena” on a HLW disposal system”, American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2007.
Niizato, T., Yasue, K. and Kurikami H. (2007): “Imapacts of natural events and processes on groundwater flow conditions: a case study in the Horonobe area, Hokkaido, northern Japan”, Stability and buffering capacity of the geosphere for long-term isolation of radioactive waste: Application to crystalline rock, Geosphere stability workshop on crystalline rock, Manchester, United Kingdom, 13-15 November 2007, OECD/NEA.
Kawamura, M., Yasue, K., Niizato, T., Tokiwa, T., Ebashi, T., Oi, T., Makino, H., Ishimaru, T. and Umeda, K. (2008): “Study on perturbation scenario for uplift and denudation in performance assessment of a HLW disposal system”, Proceedings of 2008 East Asia Forum on Radwaste Management Conference (2008 EAFORM 2nd Conference) (USB Flash Drive).
Kitazawa, T., Shigeno, K., Koitabashi, S., Miyasaka, S., Niizato, T. and Hoyanagi, K. (2008): “Storm-influenced tiny delta”, International Conference on DELTAS.
Niizato, T., Yasue, K., Kurikami, H., Kawamura, M. and Ohi, T. (2008):” Synthesising geoscientific data into a site model for performance assessment; A Study on the long-term evolution of the geological environment in and around the Horonobe URL, Hokkaido, northern Japan”, 3rd Amigo Workshop.
Nohara, T. (2009): “Hydraulic and hydrochemical response to seismic events”, In: Stability and Buffering Capacity of the Geosphere for Long-term Isolation of Radioactive Waste: Application to Crystalline Rock, Proceedings of an NEA workshop, Manchester, United Kingdom, 13-15 November 2007, OECD/NEA, pp.197-203.
Kawamura, A., Tanikawa, S., Niizato, T. and Yasue, K. (2010): “Development of methodology to construct a generic conceptual model of river-valley evolution for performance assessment of HLW geological disposal”, Proceedings of the ASME 13th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management (ICEM2010), October 3-7, 2010, Tsukuba, Japan, ICEM2010-40137.
Moriya, H., Asamori, K., Kitamura, I., Hotta, H., Ohara, H. and Niizato, T. (2010): “Estimation of crustal structure in Horonobe area, Hokkaido, Japan, using multiplet-clustering analysis”, Journal of Acoustic Emission, vol.28, pp.1-10.
Niizato, T., Amano, K., Ota, K., Kunimaru, T., Lanyon, B. and Alexander, W.R. (2010): “Development of comprehensive techniques for coastal site characterisation: Part 3 Conceptualisation of long-term geosphere evolution”, Proceedings of the ASME 13th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management (ICEM2010), October 3-7, 2010, Tsukuba, Japan, ICEM2010-40052.
Niizato, T., Yasue, K., Doke, R., Nakayasu, A., Shigehiro, M. (2010): “Technical know-how and decision process for geoscientific investigation of geological disposal of HLW (2) An externalization of tacit knowledge in a geoscientific investigation; an example of investigations for an estimation of uplift rate”, Joint Meeting of Korean and Japanese Geological Societies, Muroto Geopark.
Nohara, T., Kosaka, H., Kagohara, K., Miwa, A., Tokiwa, T. and Imaizumi, T. (2010): “Examination of an investigation technique for activity on a fault-related fold in the Tenpoku region, northern Hokkaido, Japan”, Hokudan 2010 International Symposium on Active Faulting.
Tokiwa, T., Asamori, K., Niizato, T., Nohara, T., Matsuura, Y. and Kosaka, H. (2010): “An attempt to evaluate horizontal crustal movement by geodetic and geological approach in the Horonobe area, northern Hokkaido, Japan”, Proceedings of the ASME 13th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management (ICEM2010), October 3-7, 2010, Tsukuba, Japan, ICEM2010-40189.
Tokiwa, T., Asamori, K., Hiraga, N., Yamada, O., Moriya, H., Hotta, H., Kitamura, I. and Yokota, H. (2010): “Relationship between hypocentral distribution and geological structure in the Horonobe area, northern Hokkaido, Japan”, Proceedings of the ASME 13th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management (ICEM2010), October 3-7, 2010, Tsukuba, Japan, ICEM2010-40054.
Doke, R., Yasue, K., Niizato, T. and Nakayasu, A. (2011): “Technical know-how for the investigation and modeling of topographic evolution for site characterization”, Proceedings of 14th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management (ICEM 2011), pp.1467-1476.
Kurikami, H., Niizato, T. and Yasue, K. (2011): “A Study on time frame definition and reference evolution of the geological system for the safety assessment; Case study on the Horonobe URL site”, Proceedings of 19th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE-19).
Niizato, T., Imai, H., Maekawa, K., Yasue, K., Kurikami, H., Shiozaki, I. and Yamashita, R. (2011): “Development of a methodology for the characterisation of long-term geosphere evolution, 1; Impacts of natural events and processes on the geosphere evolution of coastal setting, in the case of Horonobe area”, Proceedings of 19th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE-19).
Yasue, K., Doke, R., Niwa, M., Tanikawa, S., Nakayasu, A., Niizato, T., Asamori, K., Ishimaru, T. and Umeda, K. (2011): “Spatial variations in the onset times of active faultings in Japan”, American Geophysical Union 2011 Fall Meeting.
Sato, T., Aoyagi, K., Miyara, N., Aydan, Ö., Tomiyama, J. and Morita, T. (2019): “The dynamic response of Horonobe Underground Research Center during the 2018 June 20 earthquake”, Proceedings of 2019 Rock Dynamics Summit in Okinawa, 7-11 May, 2019, Okinawa, JAPAN, pp.640-645.

Geology and geological structure

Ishii, E., Yasue, K, Tsukui, R., Hama, K. and Takahashi, K. (2005): “Structure of the Omagari Fault in northern Hokkaido, Japan”, 2nd Annual Meeting Asia Oceania Geosciences Society (AOGS 2005).
Amo, M.，Suzuki, N.，Shinoda, T.，Ratnyake，N.P. and Takahashi, K. (2006): “Pristene, phytene, and sterenes in immature Horonobe diatomaceous sediments as potential indicators of paleo-temperature and depositional environment.”, 17th International Sedimentological Congress.
Amo, M., Suzuki, N., Shinoda, T. Ratnyake, N.P. and Takahashi, K. (2007): “Diagenesis and distribution of sterenes in Late Miocene to Pliocene Horonobe marine siliceous rocks from Horonobe (Hokkaido, Japan)”, Organic Geochemistry, Vol 38, Issue 7.
Ishii, E., Funaki, H., Tokiwa, T. and Ota, K. (2008): “Relationship between growth mechanism of faults and permeability variations with depth in siliceous mudstone”, Fault Zones: Structure, Geomechanics and Fluid Flow, The Geological Society.
Moriya, H., Asamori, K., Kitamura, I., Hotta, H., Ohara, H. and Niizato, T. (2008) : “Estimation of crustal structure in Horonbe area, Hokkaido, Japan, by using Multiplet-Clustering analysis”, The 19th International Acoustic Emission Symposium.
Ishii, E., Funaki, H., Tokiwa, T. and Ota, K. (2010): “Relationship between fault growth mechanism and permeability variations with depth of siliceous mudstones in northern Hokkaido, Japan”, Journal of Structural Geology, Vol.32, No.11, pp.1792-1805.
Matsuoka, T., Amano, K., Osawa, H. and Semba, T. (2010): “Technical know-how for modeling of geological environment: Part 2 Geological modeling”, Proceedings of the ASME 13th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management (ICEM2010), October 3-7, 2010, Tsukuba, Japan, ICEM2010-40066.
Sugita, Y., Nakamura, T., Sanada, H., Aizawa, T. and Ito, S. (2010): “Seismic tomography investigation in 140m gallery in the Horonobe URL project”, Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings, Materials Research Society 2010 Spring Meeting.
Ishii, E., Sanada, H., Funaki, H., Sugita, Y. and Kurikami, H. (2011): “The Relationships among brittleness, deformation behavior, and transport properties in mudstones; An Example from the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory, Japan”, Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol.116, B09, B09206 1-15.
Ishii, E., Sanada, Iwatsuki, T., Sugita, Y. and Kurikami, H. (2011): “Mechanical strength of the transition zone at the boundary between opal-A and opal-CT zones in siliceous rocks”, Engineering Geology, Vol.122, pp.215-221.
Ishii, E. (2012): “Microstructure and origin of faults in siliceous mudstone at the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory site, Japan”, Journal of Structural Geology, Vol.34, pp.20-29.
Tokiwa, T., Tsusaka, K., Matsubara, M., Ishikawa, T. and Ogawa, D. (2012): “Formation mechanism of extension fractures induced by excavation of a gallery in soft sedimentary rock, Horonobe area, northern Japan”, Geoscience Frontiers, 4(1), pp.105-111.
Miyakawa, K., Tokiwa, T. and Murakami, H. (2013): “The Origin of muddy sand sediments associated with mud volcanism in the Horonobe area of northern Hokkaido, Japan”, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, Vol.14, pp.4980-4988.
Murakami, T. and Mizuno, T. (2013): “Behavior of REEs, U and Th in sedimentary rock of Horonobe, Hokkaido, Japan”, 10th East Eurasia International Workshop.
Hayano, A., Matsukawa, S., Xu, Z. and Itakura, K. (2014): “Application of three-dimensional laser scanning data to acquire geometrical data for fractured rock mass modeling”, Proceedings of 8th Asian Rock Mechanics Symposium (ARMS-8).
Inagaki, D., Tsusaka, K., Aoyagi, K., Nago, M., Ijiri, Y. and Shigehiro, M. (2015): “Effective 3D data visualization in deep shaft construction”, Proceedings of ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2015 (WTC 2015)/41th General Assembly, 10p.
Ishii, E., Hashimoto, Y. and Inagaki, D. (2015): “Washout of clay-rich gouge in a pre-grouted fault zone and increase in groundwater inflow during tunnel excavation in Neogene siliceous mudstone (Horonobe, Japan)”, Proceedings of 10th Asian Regional Conference of IAEG (Internet), 4p.
Hayano, A. and Ishii, E. (2016): “Relationship between faults oriented parallel and oblique to bedding in Neogene massive siliceous mudstones at the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory, Japan”, IOP Conference Series, Earth and Environmental Science, Vol.44, pp.022004_1-022004_8.
Ishii, E. (2016): “Far-field stress dependency of the failure mode of damage-zone fractures in fault zones; Results from laboratory tests and field observations of siliceous mudstone”, Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 121(1), pp.70-91, DOI:10.1002/2015JB012238.
Ishii, E. (2016): “The Role of bedding in the evolution of meso- and microstructural fabrics in fault zones”, Journal of Structural Geology, Vol.89, pp.130-143.
Ishii, E. (2017): "Estimation of the highest potential transmissivity of discrete shear fractures using the ductility index", International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 100, p.10-22.
Ishii, E. (2017): "Preliminary assessment of the highest potential transmissivity of fractures in fault zones by core logging", Engineering Geology, 221, p.124-132.
Ishii, E. and Furusawa, A. (2017): "Detection and correlation of tephra-derived smectite-rich shear zones by analyzing glass melt inclusions in mineral grains", Engineering Geology, 228, p.158-166.
Aoyagi, K., Chen, Y., Ishii, E., Sakurai, A. and Ishida, T. (2019): “Visualization of fractures induced around the gallery wall in Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory”，Proceedings of 5th ISRM Young Scholars' Symposium on Rock Mechanics and International Symposium on Rock Engineering for Innovative Future (YSRM 2019 and REIF 2019) (USB Flash Drive), 6p.
Ishii, E. (2019): “Protolith identification of bedding-parallel, smectite-bearing shear zones in argillaceous and siliceous marine sediments: Discriminating between tephra-derived shear zones and host-rock-derived fault gouges”, Engineering Geology, 259, 105203.
Matsuura, Y., Hayano, A., Itakura, K. and Suzuki, Y. (2019): “Estimation of planes of a rock mass in a gallery wall from point cloud data based on MD PSO”, Applied Soft Computing, 84, p.105737_1 - 105737_9.

Hydrogeology

Ishii, E. and Yasue, K. (2005): “Study of paleohydrogeology in the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory project”, International Workshop on Waste Management in Sapporo (Sapporo Workshop 2005): Report, pp.129-132.
Yamamoto, H., Kunimaru, T. Shimo, M., Fujiwara, Y., Ono, M., Tianfu XU and Markus L. (2005): “Reactive Chemical Transport Simulations for Evaluation of Ambient Chemical Conditions at Horonobe URL Site, Hokkaido, Japan”, The 2nd Japan-Korea Joint Workshop on Radioactive Waste Disposal 2005, pp.159-172.
Kurikami, H., Kunimaru, T., Yabuuchi, S., Seno, S., Shimo, M. and Kumamoto, S. (2006): “Hydrogeological model in Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory Project”, Proceedings of 2nd International Conference on Coupled T-H-M-C Processes in Geo-systems; Fundamentals, Modeling, Experiments and Applications (GeoProc 2006), pp584-589.
Karasaki, K. and Maekawa, K. (2007): “Numerical simulation of saltwater intrusion experiment”, American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2007.
Kurikami, H., Takeuchi, R. and Yabuuchi, S. (2007): “Scale effect and heterogeneity of hydraulic conductivity of sedimentary rocks at Horonobe URL site”, 3rd International Meeting on Clays in Natural and Engineered Barriers for Radioactive Waste Confinement.
Maekawa, K., Karasaki, K. and Takasu, T. (2007): “Laboratory experiments for seawater intrusion into freshwater aquifer with heterogeneity”, American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2007.
Niizato, T., Yasue, K. and Kurikami H. (2007): “Imapacts of natural events and processes on groundwater flow conditions: a case study in the Horonobe area, Hokkaido, northern Japan”, Stability and buffering capacity of the geosphere for long-term isolation of radioactive waste: Application to crystalline rock, Geosphere stability workshop on crystalline rock, Manchester, United Kingdom, 13-15 November 2007, OECD/NEA.
Uehara, S., Shimamoto, T., Kurikami, H., Niizato, T., Funaki, H. and Onishi, Y. (2007): ”Estimation of porosity and permeability as a function of depth in Neogene and Quaternary sedimentary basin at Horonobe, Hokkaido, Japan, based on laboratory tests”, EIT-JSCE Joint Seminar on Rock Engineering 2007.
Doughty, C., Thang,C.-F., Hatanaka, K., Yabuuchi, S. and Kurikami, H. (2008) : “Application of direct-fitting, mass integral, and multirate methods to analysis of flowing fluid electric conductivity logs from Horonobe, Japan”, Water resources research, vol.44, W08403.
Yasue, K., Saegusa, H., Onoe, H., Takeuchi, R. and Niizato, T. (2008): “Study for evaluation of the influence of long-term climate change on deep groundwater flow conditions; Integration of paleo-climatology and hydrogeology”, Proceedings of 36th International Association of Hydrogeologists Congress 2008 (IAH 2008) .
Alexander, W.R., Ota, K., Niizato., T. and Kunimaru, T. (2009): “Palaeohydrogeology in coastal site characterisation: a case study at Horonobe, Japan”, 19th Goldschmidt Conference (Coldshmidt 2009).
Ishii, E., Funaki, H., Tokiwa, T and Ota, K. (2009):“Relationship between fault growth mechanism and permeability variations with depth of siliceous mudstones in northern Hokkaido, Japan”, Journal of Structural Geology, Vol.32, Issue.11, pp.1792-1850.
Karasaki, K., Ito, K., Wu, Y., Shimo, M., Sawada, A., Maekawa, K. and Hatanaka, K. (2009): “Uncertainty reduction of hydrologic models using data from surface-based investigation”, Proceedings of TOUGH Symposium 2009.
Niizato, T., Yasue, K. and Kurikami, H. (2009): “Impacts of natural events and processes on groundwater flow conditions: a case study in the Horonobe area, Hokkaido, northern Japan”, In: Stability and buffering capacity of the geosphere for long-term isolation of radioactive waste: application to crystalline rock, Proceedings of an NEA workshop, Manchester, United Kingdom, 13-15 November 2007, OECD/NEA, pp.269-275.
Niizato, T., Yasue, K., Kurikami, H. and Ohi, T. (2009) : “Synthesising geoscientific data into a site model for performance assessment: a study on the long-term evolution of the geological environment in and around the Horonobe URL, Hokkaido, northern Japan”, In: Approaches and challenges for the use of geological information in the safety case for deep disposal of radioactive waste, Third AMIGO workshop proceedings, Nancy, France, 15-17 April 2008, OECD/NEA, pp.222-234.
Yokota, H., Tomura, G. and Maekawa, K. (2009): “Study of estimation of hydrogeological structures based on fluctuation of groundwater pressure at Horonobe area, Hokkaido, north Japan”, 3rd International Workshop and Conference on Earth Resources Technology 2009, pp.169-178.
Amano, K., Niizato, T., Yokota, H., Ota, K., Lanyon, B. and Alexander, W.R. (2010): “Development of comprehensive techniques for coastal site characterisation: Integrated palaeohydrogeological approach for development of site evolution models”, The 13th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management (ICEM2010), October 3-7, 2010, Tsukuba, Japan, ICEM2010-40048.
Hatanaka, K., Lim, D.-H., and Ishii, E. (2010): ”Geo-descriptive modeling of water conducting features characterized in sedimentary formations in Horonobe area of Japan”, Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings, Materials Research Society 2010 Spring Meeting.
Maekawa, K., Makino, H., Kurikami, H, Niizato, T, Inagaki, M. and Kawamura, M. (2010): “Development of methodology of groundwater flow and solute transport analysis in the Horonobe area, Hokkaido, Japan”, Proceedings of the ASME 13th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management (ICEM2010), October 3-7, 2010, Tsukuba, Japan, ICEM2010-40041.
Saegusa, H., Takeuchi, S., Maekawa, K., Osawa, H. and Semba, T. (2010): “Technical know-how for modeling of geological environment: Part 1 Overview and groundwater flow modeling”, Proceedings of the ASME 13th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management (ICEM2010), October 3-7, 2010, Tsukuba, Japan, ICEM2010-40062.
Yamamoto, S., Honda, M., Sakurai, H., Suzuki, M., Sanada, H., Sugita, Y. and Matsui, H. (2010): “Geostatistical modeling of groundwater properties and assessment of their uncertainties”, Proceedings of 14th Annual Conference of the International Association for Mathematical Geosciences (IAMG 2010).
Yokota, H., Yamamoto, Y., Maekawa, K. and Hara, M. (2010): “A Study on groundwater infiltration in the horonobe area, Northern Hokkaido, Japan”, Proceedings of 13th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management (ICEM 2010) October 3-7, 2010, Tsukuba, Japan, ICEM2010-40047.
Amano, K., Niizato, T., Ota., K., Lanyon, B. and Alexander, W. R. (2011): ”Development of comprehensive techniques for coastal site characterisation; Integrated palaeohydrogeological approach for development of site evolution models”, Proceedings of 14th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management (ICEM 2011), pp.1477-1481.
Miyakawa, K., Nohara, T., Tokiwa, T. and Yamazaki, M. (2014): “Seven-year history of vertical hydraulic diffusivity related to excavation around an underground facility”, International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 70, pp.332-342.
Ishii, E. (2015): “Predictions of the highest potential transmissivity of fractures in fault zones from rock rheology; Preliminary results”, Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 120(4), pp.2220-2241, DOI: 10.1002/2014JB011756.
Ishii, E. (2018): “Assessment of hydraulic connectivity of fractures in mudstones by single-borehole investigations”, Water Resources Research, 54(5), pp.3335-3356.
Kato, M., Nara, Y., Okazaki, Y., Kono, M., Sato, T., Sato, T. and Takahashi, M. (2018): “Application of the transient pulse method to measure clay permeability”, Materials Transactions, 59(9), pp.1427-1432.
Nara, Y., Kato, M., Sato, T., Kono, M. and Sato, T. (2019): “Permeability measurement for macro-fractured granite using water including clay”, Proceedings of 5th ISRM Young Scholars' Symposium on Rock Mechanics and International Symposium on Rock Engineering for Innovative Future (YSRM 2019 and REIF 2019) (USB Flash Drive), 6p.
Ohno, H., Takeda, M. and Ishii, E. (2020): “Does fault activation affect the hydraulic disconnectivity of faults in mudstone?”, Extanded abstract of International Conference on Coupled Processes in Fractured Geological Media; Observation, Modeling, and Application (CouFrac 2020) (Internet), 4p.
Ozaki, Y., Ishii, E. and Sugawara, K. (2020): “Poroelastic hydraulic-response of fractured mudstone to excavation in the Horonobe URL; As an indicator of fracture hydraulic-disconnectivity”, Extanded abstract of International Conference on Coupled Processes in Fractured Geological Media; Observation, Modeling, and Application (CouFrac 2020) (Internet), 4p.
Onoe, H., Ishibashi, M., Ozaki, Y. and Iwatsuki, T. (2021): “Development of modeling methodology for hydrogeological heterogeneity of the deep fractured granite in Japan”, International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 144, pp.104737_1-104737_14.
Ishii, E. (2020): “A conventional straddle-sliding-packer system as a borehole extensometer: Monitoring shear displacement of a fault during an injection test”, Engineering Geology, 275, p.105748_1-105748_12.
Ishii, E. (2021): “The highest potential transmissivities of fractures in fault zones: Reference values based on laboratory and in situ hydro-mechanical experimental data”, Engineering Geology, 294, 5, pp.106369_1-106369_12.

Hydrogeochemistory

Hama, K., Kunimaru, T., Metcalfe, R. and Martin, A.J. (2005): “The hydrogeochemistry of argillaceous rock formations at the Horonobe URL site, Japan”, TOURS 2nd international meeting -Clays in Natural & Engineered Barriers for Radioactive Waste Confirment- Abstracts, pp.399-400 (P/GM/14).
Nagao, S., Iwatsuki, T. and Hama, K. (2005): “Characterization of groundwater humic substances by high-performance size exclusion chromatography with fluorescence detection”, International Workshop on Waste Management in Sapporo (Sapporo Workshop 2005): Abstract, pp.3-4.
Yamamoto, H., Kunimaru, T., Kurikami, H., Shimo, M. and Xu, T. (2006): “Long-term simulation of ambient groundwater chemistry at Horonobe underground research laboratory, Japan; Application of coupled hydro-geochemical model”, Proceedings of 2nd International Conference on Coupled T-H-M-C Processes in Geo-systems; Fundamentals, Modeling, Experiments and Applications (GeoProc 2006), pp382-387.
Hama, K., Kunimaru, T., Metcalfe, R. and Martin, A.J. (2007): “The hydrogeochemistry of argillaceous rock formations at the Horonobe URL site, Japan.”, Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, vol.32, pp.170-180.
Kunimaru, T. and Yamamoto, H. (2007): “Investigation and modeling of 3D distribution of water chemistries in Horonobe, Hokkaido, Japan”, 3rd International Meeting on Clays in Natural and Engineered Barriers for Radioactive Waste Confinement.
Iwatsuki, T., Mizuno, T., Hama, K. and Kunimaru, T. (2008): “Hydrochemical records on long-term changes of deep groundwater system, Japan”, Proceedings of 36th International Association of Hydrogeologists Congress 2008 (IAH 2008).
Iwatsuki, T., Yoshikawa, H., Asano, T. and Sasaki, Y. (2008): ”Long-term evolution of water-rock-microbe system in Horonobe, Japan”, 7th International Symposium for Subsurface Microbiology (ISSM 2008).
Sasaki, Y., Asano, T., Iwatsuki, T., Yoshikawa, H. and Yui, M. (2008): “Microbial communities of groundwater from deep borehole in Horonobe, Japan”, Extremophiles 2008 Meeting.
Ota, K., Alexander, W. R., Niizato, T. and Kunimaru, T. (2009): “Evolution of the hydrochemical system at Horonobe, Japan; An Indication from rock matrix porewater chemistry”, 19th Goldschmidt Conference (Goldschmidt 2009).
Ota, K., Kunimaru, T. and Alexander, W. R. (2009): “A Quality assurance programme for rock matrix porewater chemistry; An Example from Horonobe, Japan”, 19th Goldschmidt Conference (Goldschmidt 2009).
Iwatsuki, T., Sasaki, Y., Ito, T., Asano, T., Amano, Y., Yoshikawa, H., Nakamura, T. and Nagaoka, T. (2010):“Biogeochemical modelling of water-rock-microbe system in Horonobe area, Japan”, 20th Goldschmidt Conference (Goldschmidt 2010).
Kunimaru, T., Ota, K., Amano, K. and Russell, A. (2010): “Development of a Quality Management System (QMS) for borehole investigations: Part 2- Evaluation of Applicablity of QMS Methodology for the Hydrochemical Dataset”, Proceedings of the ASME 13th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management (ICEM2010), October 3-7, 2010, Tsukuba, Japan, ICEM2010-40065.
Sasaki, Y., Asano, T., Amano, Y., Iwatsuki, T. and Yoshikawa, H. (2010): “Quantitative analysis of microbial community in deep subsurface at Horonobe area”, 8th International Congress on Extrimophiles (Extremophiles 2010).
Teramoto, M., Nagao, S., Iwatsuki, T., Sasaki, S., Kiyota, Y. and Yoshikawa, H. (2010): “Structural characteristics of deep groundwater humic substances in Horonobe area, Hokkaido, Japan”, Proceedings of 15th Meeting of International Humic Substances Society "Humic Substances and the Maintenance of Ecosystem Services" (IHSS-15).
Iwatsuki, T., Amano, Y., Murakami, H., Nanjo, I., Aoki, K., Sasaki, Y. and Yoshikawa, H. (2011): “The Analysis of hydrochemical buffering process at Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory, Japan”, 13th International Conference on the Chemistry and Migration Behaviour of Actinides and Fission Products in the Geosphere (MIGRATION 2011).
Sasaki, Y., Asano, T., Amano, Y., Sato, T., Iwatsuki, T. and Yoshikawa, H. (2011): “Study of deep subsurface microbial community under changing redox conditions using quantitative method”, 21st Goldschmidt Conference (Goldschmidt 2011).
Yamamoto, Y., Takahashi, Y., Sakami, S., Mizuno, T., Amano, K., Hama, K. and Shimizu, H. (2011): “Behavior of rare earth elements during chemical alteration of deep granitic rocks at Tono, Central Japan”, 21st Goldshmidt Conference (Goldschmidt 2011).
Igarashi, T., Ueda, T., Hokora, H., Jo, M. and Kudo, H. (2012): “Factors affecting the leaching of nitrogen species from diatomaceous mudstone”, 5th AUN/SEED-Net Regional Conference on Geo-Disaster Mitigation in ASEAN.
Ise, K., Nanjo, I., Amamiya, H., Amano, Y., Iwatsuki, T., Asano, T., Kageyama, K., Sasaki, Y. and Yoshikawa, H. (2012): “Microbial structure change in the groundwater samples from two boreholes at depths of -250m in Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory”, 14th International Symposium on Microbial Ecology (ISME-14).
Mizuno, T., Iwatsuki, T. and Matsuzaki, T. (2012): “Procedure for estimation of salinity distribution based on resistivity data of rock mass”, American Geophysical Union 2012 Fall Meeting.
Saito, T., Suzuki, Y. and Mizuno, T. (2012): “Size and elemental analyses of nano colloids in deep granitic groundwater; Implications for transport of trace elements”, Colloids and Surfaces A; Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Vol.435, pp.48-55.
Sasaki, Y., Asano, T., Ise, K., Sato, T., Murakami, H., Amamiya, H., Amano, Y., Iwatsuki, T. and Yoshikawa, H. (2012): “Planktonic and attached microbes in deep subsurface”, 14th International Symposium on Microbial Ecology (ISME-14).
Togo, Y., Takahashi, Y., Amano, Y., Matsuzaki, H., Suzuki, Y., Muramatsu, Y. and Iwatsuki, T. (2012): “Long-term migration of iodine in sedimentary rocks based on iodine speciation and 129I/127I ratios”, American Geophysical Union 2012 Fall Meeting.
Kirishima, A., Kuno, A., Amamiya, H., Kubota, T., Kimuro, S., Amano, Y., Miyakawa, K., Iwatsuki, T., Mizuno, T., Sasaki, T. and Sato, N. (2013): “Interaction of rare earth elements and suspended matters contained in Horonobe deep groundwater”, 14th International Conference on the Chemistry and Migration Behaviour of Actinides and Fission Products in the Geosphere (Migration 2013).
Miyakawa, K., Tokiwa, T. and Murakami, H. (2013): “The Origin of gas and mud-volcano-like sediments in the Horonobe area of northern Hokkaido, Japan”, Proceedings of International Conference on Gas Geochemistry 2013 (ICGG-12).
Nagaoka, T., Nakamura, T., Sasaki, Y., Asano, T., Ito, T., Amano, Y., Iwatsuki, T. and Yoshikawa, H. (2013): “Microbially mediated redox processes in lactate stimulation with sedimentary rock and groundwater”, 23rd Goldschmidt Conference (Goldschmidt 2013).
Miyakawa, K., Mizuno, T., Ishii, E., Hirota, A., Komatsu, D., Ikeya, K., and Tsunogai, U. (2015): “Relative burial-depth-profiles of carbon isotope ratios of methane and carbon dioxide preserved for up to 1 million years”, Abstracts of 13th International Conference on Gas Geochemistry, pp.36-38.
Togo, Y., Takahashi, Y., Amano, Y., Matsuzaki, H., Suzuki, Y., Terada, Y., Muramatsu, Y., Ito, K. and Iwatsuki, T. (2016):“Age and speciation of iodine in groundwater and mudstones of the Horonobe area, Hokkaido, Japan, Implications for the origin and migration of iodine during basin evolution”, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Vol.191, pp.165-186.
Hernsdorf, A., Amano, Y., Miyakawa, K., Ise, K., Suzuki, Y., Anantharaman, K., Probst, A., Burstein, D., Thomas, B. and Banfield, J. (2017): “Potential for microbial H2 and metal transformations associated with novel bacteria and archaea in deep terrestrial subsurface sediments”, The ISME Journal, 1-15.
Kirishima, A., Kuno, A., Amamiya, H., Kubota, T., Kimuro, S., Amano, Y., Miyakawa, K., Iwatsuki, T., Mizuno, T., Sasaki, T. and Sato, N. (2017): “Interaction of rare earth elements and components of the Horonobe deep groundwater”, Chemosphere, Vol.168, pp.798-806.
Miyakawa, K., Ishii, E., Hirota, A., Komatsu, D., Ikeya, K. and Tsunogai, U. (2017): “The Role of low-temperature organic matter diagenesis in carbonate precipitation within a marine deposit”, Applied Geochemistry, Vol.76, pp.218-231.
Miyakawa, K. and Okumura, F. (2017): “Preliminary research on the effects of microbial methane oxidation on drill-core head-space gas analysis”, XIVth International Conference on Gas Geochemistry Book of Abstracts, p.173-176.
Nago, M.，Motoshima, T.，Miyakawa, K.，Kanie, S. and Sanoki, S. (2017): "Three-dimensional visualization of methane concentration distribution in tunnels to increase underground safety", Proceedings of ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2017 (WTC 2017) (USB Flash Drive), pp. 10.
Sasaki, T., Kokami, T., Kobayashi, T., Kirishima, A., Murakami, H., Amano, Y., Mizuno, T., Iwatsuki, T., Sasamoto, H. and Miyakawa, K. (2017): “Determination of dissolved natural thorium and uranium in Horonobe and Mizunami Underground Research Laboratory groundwater and its thermodynamic analysis”, Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 54(3), pp.373-381.
Amano, Y., Diamond, S., Lavy, A., Anantharaman, K., Miyakawa, K., Iwatsuki, T., Beppu, H., Suzuki, Y., Thomas, B. C. and Banfield, J. F. (2018): “Vast metabolic and phylogenetic diversity shared across deep subsurface environments”, American Geophysical Union 2018 Fall Meeting (AGU 2018) ，H21K-1798.
Miyakawa, K. and Okumura, F. (2018): “Improvements in drill-core headspace gas analysis for samples from microbially active depths”, Geofluids, pp.2436814_1 - 2436814_11.
Nakata, K.，Hasegawa, T.，Oyama, T.，Ishii, E.，Miyakawa, K. and Sasamoto, H. (2018): "An Evaluation of the long-term stagnancy of porewater in the neogene sedimentary rocks in northern Japan", Geofluids, p.7823195_1-7823195_21.
Nakata, K., Hasegawa, T., Oyama, T. and Miyakawa, K. (2018): “Evaluation of δ2H and δ18O of water in pores extracted by compression method; Effects of closed pores and comparison to direct vapor equilibration and laser spectrometry method”, Journal of Hydrology, 561, pp.547-556.
Sasamoto, H. and Onda, S. (2018): “Preliminary results for natural groundwater colloids in sedimentary rocks of the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory, Hokkaido, Japan”, Geological Society Special Publications, 482, 13p.
Tamamura, S.，Miyakawa, K.，Aramaki, N.，Igarashi, T. and Kaneko, K. (2018): "A Proposed method to estimate in situ dissolved gas concentrations in gas-saturated groundwater", Groundwater, 56(1), p.118-130.
Miyakawa, K., Aoyagi, K., Sasamoto, H., Akaki, T. and Yamamoto, H. (2019): “The effect of dissolved gas on rock desaturation in artificial openings in geological formations”, Proceedings of 5th ISRM Young Scholars' Symposium on Rock Mechanics and International Symposium on Rock Engineering for Innovative Future (YSRM 2019 and REIF 2019) (USB Flash Drive), 6p.
Nakata, K., Hasegawa, T., Solomon, D.K., Miyakawa, K., Tomioka, Y., Ota, T., Matsumoto, T., Hama, K. Iwatsuki, T., Ono, M. and Marui, A. (2019): “Degassing behavior of noble gases from groundwater during groundwater sampling”, Applied Geochemistry, 104, p.60–70.
Mochizuki, A., Ishii, E., Miyakawa, K. and Sasamoto, H. (2020): “Mudstone redox conditions at the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory, Hokkaido, Japan: Effects of drift excavation”, Engineering Geology, 267, p.105496_1-105496_11.
Terashima, M., Endo, T. and Miyakawa, K. (2020): “Determination of humic substances in deep groundwater from sedimentary formations by the carbon concentration-based DAX-8 resin isolation technique”, Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 57(4), pp.380-387.
Miyakawa, K., Aoyagi, K., Akaki, T. and Yamamoto, H. (2021): “Numerical simulation of oxygen infusion into desaturation resulting from artificial openings in sedimentary formations”, Dai-15-Kai Iwa No Rikigaku Kokunai Shimpojiumu Koen Rombunshu (Internet).
Ueno, A., Tamazawa, S., Tamamura, S., Murakami, T., Kiyama, T., Inomata, H., Amano, Y., Miyakawa, K., Tamaki, H., Naganuma, T. and Kaneko, K. (2021): “Desulfovibrio subterraneus sp. nov., a mesophilic sulfate–reducing deltaproteobacterium isolated from a deep siliceous mudstone formation”, International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.004683.

Rock mechanics and engineering

Honda, K., Sakurai, H., Iwasa, K., Suzuki, M. and Matsui, H. (2005): “Geostatistical Modeling of Hydrogeological Environment Using Resistivity Distribution Measured by Various Method”, IAMG 2005 Proceedings of IAMG ’05: GIS and Spatial Analysis, Vol.1, pp.393-398.
Mito, Y., Chang, C. S., Aoki, K., Matsui, H., Niunoya, S. and Minami, M. (2007) : “Evaluation of fracturing process of soft rocks at great depth by AE measurement and DEM simulation”, Proceedings of 11th Congress of the International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM 2007), Vol.1, pp.273-276.
Tsusaka, K., Tanimoto, C., Mitarashi, Y. and Aoki, T. (2007): “A Study on development of loosening zone and allowable limit of deformation in tunneling”, 11th Congress of the International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM 2007).
Tsusaka, K., Yamazaki, M., Hatsuyama, Y. and Yamamoto, T. (2008): “Proposal of a practical guide of convergence measurements in Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory”, Proceedings of 42nd U.S. Rock Mechanics Symposium and 2nd U.S.-Canada Rock Mechanics Symposium, ARMA 08-027.
Sanada, H., Matsui, H. and Fujii, Y. (2009): “Mechanical properties of siliceous rocks around Horonobe URL from triaxial compression and isotropic consolidation tests”, International Symposium on Rock Mechanics "Rock Characterization, Modelling and Engineering Design Methods" (SINOROCK 2009).
Sanada, H., Sugita, Y. and Fujii, Y. (2009): “Deformation and failure behavior of rock mass around the ventilation shaft in Horonobe URL”, Proceedings of 3rd International Workshop and Conference on Earth Resources Technology 2009, pp.149-158.
Tokiwa, T., Ishii, E., Funaki, H., Tsusaka, T. and Sanada, H. (2009): “Relationship between fault system estimated by fault-striation analysis of drilling cores and rock mass behavior induced by shaft excavation in the Horonobe area, northern Japan”, 3rd International Workshop and Conference on Earth Resources Technology 2009, pp.159-168 (CD-ROM).
Tsusaka, T., Yamasaki, M. and Hatsuyama, Y. (2009): “Relationship between rock deformation and support load in shaft excavation in Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory”, Rock Engineering in Difficult Ground Conditions; Soft Rocks and Karst (EUROCK 2009), pp.589-594.
Sanada, H., Nakamura, T. and Sugita, Y. (2010): “In situ stress measurements in siliceous mudstones at Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory, Japan”, Proceedings of the ASME 13th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management (ICEM2010), October 3-7, 2010, Tsukuba, Japan, ICEM2010-40019.
Fujita, T., Sugita, Y. and Toida, K. (2011):“Experimental studies on penetration of pulverized clay-based grout”, Journal of Energy and Power Engineering, Vol.5, No.5, pp.419-427.
Tokiwa, T., Tsusaka, K., Ishii, E., Sanada, H., Tominaga, E., Hatsuyama, Y. and Funaki, H. (2011): “Influence of a fault system on rock mass response to shaft excavation in soft sedimentary rock, Horonobe area, northern Japan”, International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol.48, No.5, pp.773-781.
Tsusaka, K., Inagaki, D., Koike, M., Ijiri, Y. and Hatsuyama, Y. (2011): “A study on mechanical behaviors of concrete lining and rock caused by shaft sinking at the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory”, Proceedings of the 12th Congress of International Society for Rock Mechanics, pp.305-308.
Fujita, T., Kawaguchi, M., Walker, C., Sasamoto, H., Yui, M. and Onishi, Y. (2012): “Development of grouting technologies for HLW disposal in Japan, 1; Overall program and key engineering technologies”, Proceedings of 7th Asian Rock Mechanics Symposium (ARMS-7), pp.675-681.
Tsusaka, K., Inagaki, D., Tokiwa, T., Yokota, H., Nago, M., Matsubara, M. and Shigehiro, M. (2012): “An Observational Construction Management in the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory Project”, In Proceedings of World Tunnel Congress 2012 (WTC2012)/38th General Assembly.
Aoyagi, K., Tsusaka, K., Tokiwa, T., Kondo, K., Inagaki, D. and Kato, H. (2013): “A Study of the regional stress and the stress state in the galleries of the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory”, Proceedings of 6th International Symposium on In-situ Rock Stress (RS 2013), pp.331-338.
Shimizu, H., Koyama, T., Chijimatsu, M., Nakama, S. and Fujita, T. (2013): “The Distinct element analysis for the de-stress drilling in the near field of the HLW repository”, 6th International Symposium on In-situ Rock Stress (RS 2013).
Tsusaka, K., Inagaki, D., Nago, M., Kamemura, K., Matsubara, M. and Shigehiro, M. (2013): “Relationship between rock mass properties and damage of a concrete lining during shaft sinking in the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory Project”, Proceedings of ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2013 (WTC 2013)/39th General Assembly, pp.2014-2021.
Tsusaka, K., Inagaki, D., Nago, M., Aoki, T. and Shigehiro, M. (2013): ”Rock spalling and countermeasures in shaft sinking at the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory”, Proceedings of 6th International Symposium on In-situ Rock Stress (RS 2013), pp.339-346.
Tsusaka, K. and Tokiwa, T. (2013): ”Influence of fracture orientation on excavatability of soft sedimentary rock using a hydraulic impact hammer: A Case study in the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory”, Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, Vol.38, pp.542-549.
Aoyagi, K., Tsusaka, K., Kondo, K. and Inagaki, D. (2014): “Quantitative assessment of an Excavation Damaged Zone from variations in seismic velocity and fracture distribution around a gallery in the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory”, Rock Engineering and Rock Mechanics; Structures in and on Rock Masses, pp.487-492.
Aoyagi, K., Tsusaka, K., Nohara, S., Kubota, K., Tokiwa, T., Kondo, K. and Inagaki, D. (2014): “Hydrogeomechanical investigation of an excavation damaged zone in the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory”, Proceedings of 8th Asian Rock Mechanics Symposium (ARMS-8).
Asahina, D., Aoyagi, K., Tsusaka, K., Houseworth, J. and Birkholzer, J. (2014): “Modeling damage processes in laboratory tests at the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory”, Proceedings of 8th Asian Rock Mechanics Symposium (ARMS-8).
Tsusaka, K., Inagaki, D., Nago, M. and Ijiri, Y. (2014): “A Study of mechanical stability of support elements and surrounding rock mass during shaft sinking through a fault”, Proceedings of 8th Asian Rock Mechanics Symposium (ARMS-8).
Tsusaka, K., Inagaki, D., Niunoya, S. and Jo, M. (2014): “An Investigation on mechanical properties of in-situ rock mass at the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory”, Proceedings of 8th Asian Rock Mechanics Symposium (ARMS-8).
Aoyagi, K., Nago, M., Kamemura, K. and Sugawara, K. (2016): “Estimation of rock mass stress state based on convergence measurement during gallery excavation”, Proceedings of 9th Asian Rock Mechanics Symposium (ARMS-9), 10p.
Aoyagi, K., Tokiwa, T. and Fujita, T. (2016): “A Study of efficient excavation limiting the extent of an excavation damaged zone in Horonobe URL”, Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering; From the Past to the Future (EUROCK 2016), pp.1023-1028.
Motoshima, T., Fujita, T., Aoyagi, K., Shirase, M. and Nago, M. (2016): “Design and verification of support system for underground excavations under anisotropic stress conditions”, Proceedings of 7th International Symposium on In-situ Rock Stress (RS 2016).
Tokiwa, T., Aoyagi, K. and Fujita, T. (2016): “Excavation damaged zone inferred by geophysical surveys on drift floor of Horonobe URL”, Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering; From the Past to the Future (EUROCK 2016), pp.901-906.
Aoyagi, K.，Kamemura, K.，Nago, M.，Sugawara, K. and Matsubara, M. (2017): "Development of a back analysis method for the estimation of in situ stress based on the measured convergence in the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory", Proceedings of ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2017 (WTC 2017) (USB Flash Drive), pp.10.
Asahina, D., Aoyagi, K., Kim, K., Birkholzer, J., Birkholzer, J.T. and Bolander, J.E. (2017): “Elastically-homogeneous lattice models of damage in geomaterials”, Computers and Geotechnics, Vol.81, pp.195-206.
Otsuka, Y., Ishikawa, T., Tajima, K., Wada, T., Aydan, Ö., Tokashiki, N., Sato, T. and Aoyagi, K. (2017): “Rock mass property evaluation based on the borehole wall images taken by using an ultrasonic scanner (USS)”, Proceedings of the 11th Asian Regional Conference of IAEG (ARC-11).
Tsuji, M.，Okihara, M.，Nakashima, H.，Sato, T. and Aoyagi, K. (2017): "Latest rock grouting technologies under sea water in Nordic countries and Japan", Proceedings of 6th East Asia Forum on Radwaste Management Conference (EAFORM 2017) (Internet), pp.6.
Aoyagi, K., Miyara, N., Ishii, E., Nakayama, M. and Kimura, S. (2018): “Evolution of the excavation damaged zone around a modelled disposal pit; Case study at the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory, Japan”, Proceedings of 13th SEGJ International Symposium (USB Flash Drive), 5p.
Otsuka, Y., Ishikawa, T., Tajima, K., Wada, T., Aydan, Ö., Tokashiki, N., Sato, T. and Aoyagi, K. (2018): “Rock mass property evaluation based on the borehole wall images taken by using an ultrasonic scanner (USS)”, Journal of Nepal Geological Society, 55, pp.1-6.
Sato, T., Aoyagi, K., Matsuzaki, Y., Miyara, N. and Miyakawa, K. (2018): “Status of Rock dynamics study in Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory, Japan”, Proceedings of 3rd International Conference on Rock Dynamics and Applications (RocDyn-3), pp.575-580.
Tokiwa, T., Tsusaka, K. and Aoyagi, K. (2018): “Fracture characterization and rock mass damage induced by different excavation methods in the Horonobe URL of Japan”, International Journal of Civil Engineering, 16(4), pp.371-381.
Aoyagi, K. and Ishii, E. (2019): “A Method for Estimating the Highest Potential Hydraulic Conductivity in the Excavation Damaged Zone in Mudstone”, Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 52(2), pp.385-401.
Aoyagi, K., Tokiwa, T., Sato, T. and Hayano, A. (2019): “Fracture characterization and rock mass behavior induced by blasting and mechanical excavation of shafts in Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory”, Proceedings of 2019 Rock Dynamics Summit in Okinawa, 7-11 May, 2019, Okinawa, JAPAN, pp.682-687, 2019.
Kubota, K., Aoyagi, K. and Sugita, Y. (2019): “Evaluation of the excavation disturbed zone of sedimentary rock in the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory”, Proceedings of 2019 Rock Dynamics Summit in Okinawa (USB Flash Drive), p.729-733.
Martikainen, J., Tsuji, M., Nakashima, H., Okihara, M., Aoyagi, K. and Sato, T. (2019): “Characterisation of colloidal silica grout under saline groundwater - Penetration theory and injection tests a fracture test system”, Nordic Grouting Symposium 2019.
Ogata, S., Yasuhara, H., Aoyagi, K. and Kishida, K. (2019): “Coupled THMC analysis for predicting hydro-mechanical evolution in siliceous mudstone”, Proceedings of 53rd US Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium (USB Flash Drive), 6p.
Okazaki, Y., Hayashi, H., Aoyagi, K., Morimoto, S. and Shinji, M. (2019): “Effects of Heterogeneity of Geomechanical Properties Tunnel Support Stress during Tunnel Excavation”, Proceedings of 5th ISRM Young Scholars' Symposium on Rock Mechanics and International Symposium on Rock Engineering for Innovative Future (YSRM 2019 and REIF 2019) (USB Flash Drive), 6p.
Tsuji, M., Aoyagi, K., Nakajima, H., Okihara, M. and Sato, T. (2019): “Characterisation of colloidal silica grout under saline groundwater - Overall results for 3-year research project”, Nordic Grouting Symposium 2019.
Tsuji, M., Nakashima, H., Saito, A., Okihara, M. and Sato, T. (2019): “Study on characterization of colloidal silica grout for rock excavation under saline groundwater”, International Waste Management Symposia 2019 (WM 2019), Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

Repository technology

Nakayama, M., Iriya, K., Fujishima, A., Mihara, M., Hatanaka, K., Kurihara, Y. and Yui, M. (2005): “Development of low alkaline cement pozzolanic reaction for support system in HLW Repository construction”, 29th International Symposium on the Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management, Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings, Vol.932, pp.159-166.
Sato, H. (2007): “Thermodynamic Data of Water on Smectite Surface and Those Application to Swelling Pressure of Compacted Bentonite”, International Workshop on Mobile Fission and Activation Products in Nuclear Waste Disposal, Final Programme and Abstracts.
Sato, H. (2007): “Thermodynamic understanding on swelling pressure of bentonite buffer”, Proceedings of 15th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE-15).
Sato, H. (2007): “Thermodynamic model on swelling of bentonite buffer and backfill materials”, 3rd International Meeting on Clays in Natural and Engineered Barriers for Radioactive Waste Confinement.
Sato, H. (2008): “A thermodynamic approach on effect of salinity on swelling pressure of bentonite”, 4th Japan-Korea Joint Workshop on Radioactive Waste Disposal 2008: Perspective of Science and Engineering.
Sato, H. (2008):“A thermodynamic approach on the effect of salt concentration on swelling pressure of water-saturated bentonite”, International Symposium on the Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXXII.
Sato, H. (2008): “Thermodynamic model on swelling of bentonite buffer and backfill materials”, Physics and Chemistry of the Earth 33, pp.S538-S543.
Sato, H. (2009): “A Thermodynamic analysis on the effect of salinity on interlayer space of sodium-montmorillonite”, 14th International Clay Conference (ICC-14).
Sato, H. (2009): “A Thermodynamic model on the effect of salinity on the micropore structure of Na-montmorillonite”, 12th International Conference on the Chemistry and Migration Behaviour of Actinides and Fission Products in the Geosphere (Migration '09).
Sato, H. (2009): “Modelling on the swelling of Na-bentonite in the saturated condition based on the thermodynamic properties of interlayer water in Na-montmorillonite”, 12th International Conference on the Chemistry and Migration Behaviour of Actinides and Fission Products in the Geosphere (Migration '09).
Sato, H. (2009): “Quantification of exchangeable cations in interlayer of Tsukinuno sodium-montmorillonite”, Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings”, 33rd International Symposium on Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management (MRS '09).
Nakayama, M., Sato, H., Sugita, Y., Ito, S., Minamide, M. and Kitagawa, Y. (2010): “Low alkaline cement used in the construction of a gallery in the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory”, Proceedings of the ASME 13th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management (ICEM2010), October 3-7, 2010, Tsukuba, Japan, ICEM2010-40038.
Sato, H. (2010): “An analytical model on the sealing performance of space for the design of buffer material and backfill material”, Proceedings of the ASME 13th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management (ICEM2010), October 3-7, 2010, Tsukuba, Japan, ICEM2010-40067.
Hitomi, T., Iriya, K., Nakayama, M. and Sato, H. (2013): “Study on long-term leaching behavior of low alkaline cement”, Proceedings of International Conference on Sustainable Construction Materials & Technologies (SCMT-3) (Internet), pp.e0179_1-e0179_9.
Fujita, T., Nakayama, M., Tanai, K. and Sugita, Y. (2014): “Plan of full-scale experiment on engineered barrier system in Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory”, International Conference on the Performance of Engineered Barriers: Backfill, Plugs & Seals, Hannover.
Jo, M., Ono, M., Nakayama, M., Asano, H. and Ishii, T. (2018): “A Study of methods to prevent piping and erosion in buffer materials intended for a vertical deposition hole at the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory”, Geological Society Special Publications, 482, 16p.
Sato, S., Ohno, H., Tanai, K., Yamamoto, S., Fukaya, M., Simura, T. and Niunoya, S. (2019): “Influence of pore water vaporization on saturation process in the buffer material coupled Thermo Hydro Mechanical analysis”，DECOVALEX 2019 Symposium on Coupled Processes in Radioactive Waste Disposal and Subsurface Engineering Applications
Savage, D., Wilson, J., Benbow, S., Sasamoto, H., Oda, C., Walker, C., Kawama, D. and Tachi, Y. (2019): “Natural systems evidence for the effects of temperature and the activity of aqueous silica upon montmorillonite stability in clay barriers for the disposal of radioactive wastes”, Applied Clay Science, 179, p.105146_1 - 105146_10.
Matsui, H., Yahagi, R., Ishizuka, H. and Toguri, S. (2020): “In-situ backfilling experiment of the small scall drift by spray method in Mizunami Underground Research Laboratory”, Japan, WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, Vol.247, p.145-159.
Bateman, K., Amano, Y., Kubota, M., Ouchi, Y. and Tachi, Y. (2021): “Reaction and alteration of mudstone with ordinary portland cement and low alkali cement pore fluids”, Minerals (Internet), 11(6), p.588_1-588_19.
Fujimoto, S., Tsuchiya, H., Ogawa, S., Iida, Y. and Taniguchi, N. (2021): “Stress corrosion cracking of copper in swollen bentonite simulating nuclear waste disposal environment”, Materials and Corrosion, 72(1-2), pp.333-338.
Kitayama, A., Taniguchi, N. and Mitsui, S. (2021): “Electrochemical behavior of carbon steel with bentonite/sand in saline environment”, Materials and Corrosion, 72(1-2), pp.211-217.
Ogawa, Y., Suzuki, S., Taniguchi, N., Kawasaki, M., Suzuki, H. and Takahashi, R. (2021): “Corrosion resistance of a cast steel overpack for high-level radioactive waste disposal in Japan”, Materials and Corrosion, 72(1-2), pp.52-66.
Ozaki, Y., Iwatsuki, T., Taniguchi, N. and Ohno, H. (2021): “International joint research on thermal-hydraulic-mechanical-chemical modelling of engineering/geological systems at Horonobe URL, Japan”, Proceedings of INMM & ESARDA Joint Annual Meeting (Internet).

Safety assessment

Sato, H. (2006): ”Activation Energies of Diffusion for I and Cs in Compacted Smectite”, nternational Information Exchange Meeting on Diffusion Phenomena in Bentonite and Rock -Aiming at the Safety Assessment of the Geological Disposal.
Sato, H. (2007): ”Activation Energies of Diffusion for I and Cs in Interlayer of Smectite”, International Workshop on Mobile Fission and Activation Products in Nuclear Waste Disposal, Final Programme and Abstracts.
Tanaka, S., Noda, N., Sato, S., Kozaki, T., Higashihara, T., Sato, H. and Hatanaka, K. (2007): “Diffusion of H2O and electro-osmosis in water-saturated compacted Na-montmorillonite using H218O as a tracer”, 3rd International Meeting on Clays in Natural and Engineered Barriers for Radioactive Waste Confinement.
Hatanaka, K., Osawa, H. and Umeki, H. (2008): “Geosynthesis; Testing a safety case methodology at generic Japanese URLs”, Proceedings of 3rd Amigo Workshop on Approaches and Challenges for the Use of Geological Information in the Safety Case.
Tanaka, S., Noda, N., Higashihara, T., Sato, S., Kozaki, T., Sato, H. and Hatanaka, K. (2008):“Kinetics behavior of water as migration media in compacted montmorillonite using H218O and applying electric potential gradient”, Physics and Chemistry of the Earth 33, pp.S163-S168.
Terashima, M., Seida, Y., Iwatsuki, T., Iijima, K., Yoshikawa, H., Yui, M. and Nagao, S. (2009): “Eu(III) binding abilities of dissolved humic substances isolated from deep groundwater in Horonobe area, Hokkaido, Japan”, 12th International Conference on the Chemistry and Migration Behaviour of Actinides and Fission Products in the Geosphere (Migration '09).
Lim, D.-H., Hatanaka, K. and Ishii, E. (2010): “Site characterization & preliminary performance assessment calculation applied to JAEA-Horonobe URL site of Japan”, Korean Nuclear Society Autumn Meeting.
Tanaka, S., Noda, N., Sato, S., Kozaki, T., Sato, H. and Hatanaka, K. (2010): “Effect of ionic strength on Migration of chloride ions and water in compacted montmorillonite by electrokinetic method”, 4th International Meeting on the Clays in Natural & Engineered Barriers for Radioactive Waste Confinement.
Kurikami, H., Niizato, T. and Yasue, K. (2011): “A study on time frame definition and reference evolution of the geological system for safety assessment -case study on the Horonobe URL site”, Proceedings of 19th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE19), ICONE19-43731.
Tanaka, S., Noda, N., Sato, S., Kozaki, T., Sato, H. and Hatanaka, K. (2011): “Electrokinetic study of migration of anions, cations, and water in water-saturated compacted sodium montmorillonite”, Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, Vol.48, No.3, pp.454-462.
Yokota, H. and Tanaka, S. (2014): “Preliminary analysis of dipole tracer migration experiments in fractured sedimentary rock at Horonobe URL of Japan”, Proceedings of 19th Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference (PBNC 2014).
Tanaka, S., Yokota, H., Ohno, H. Nakayama, M., Fujita, T., Takiya, H., Watanabe, N. and Kozaki, T. (2015): “Dipole tracer migration and diffusion tests in fractured sedimentary rock at Horonobe URL”, Proceedings of 23rd International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE-23) (DVD-ROM), 6p.
Iwatsuki, T. and Ishii, E. (2019): “Comprehensive study of the migration property in representative rock of Japan at underground research laboratories”, 17th International Conference on the Chemistry and Migration Behavior of Actinides and Fission Products in the Geosphere (Migration 2019), B5-1.
Tachi, Y., Takeda, M., Ohno, H., Ito, T., Sato, T. and Nemoto, K. (2019): “In situ diffusion experiment in mudstone at the Horonobe URL: Comparative study between in situ and laboratory tests”, 17th International Conference on the Chemistry and Migration Behavior of Actinides and Fission Products in the Geosphere (Migration 2019), PB-5-3.
Takeda, M., Ishii, E., Ohno, H., Tachi, Y., Ito, T. and Nemoto, K. (2019): “Evaluating the mass transport characteristics for fault zone in mudstone at the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory”, 17th International Conference on the Chemistry and Migration Behavior of Actinides and Fission Products in the Geosphere (Migration 2019), PB-5-2.