An Overview of Japan’s An Overview of Japan’s Nuclear Energy PolicyNuclear Energy Policy

KONDO Shunsuke, Chairman KONDO Shunsuke, Chairman

Atomic Energy Commission of Japan Atomic Energy Commission of Japan

15th Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference held in Sydney, Australia, 15-20 October 200615th Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference held in Sydney, Australia, 15-20 October 2006

Objectives of Nuclear Energy Objectives of Nuclear Energy PolicyPolicy

►Maintain the trust of the people in regulators Maintain the trust of the people in regulators and operators, while limiting the nuclear and operators, while limiting the nuclear activities to strictly peaceful purposes. activities to strictly peaceful purposes.

►Further enhance the characteristics of Further enhance the characteristics of radiation sources and radiation application radiation sources and radiation application technologies. technologies.

► Increase the contribution of nuclear energy Increase the contribution of nuclear energy to the stable supply of energy as well as to to the stable supply of energy as well as to the reduction in COthe reduction in CO22 emissions nationally emissions nationally and globally.and globally.

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Insta

lled

Cap

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Existing LWR plants（ 40 year-

life）

Second Phase LWRs

（ 60 year-life）

FBRs

Existing LWR plants

（ 60 year-life）

An Image of Nuclear Power Generation Capacity An Image of Nuclear Power Generation Capacity and its Compositionand its Composition

(The installed capacity is assumed to saturate at 58GW for illustrative purpose.)

Near-term ActionsNear-term Actions► Maintain the public confidence in plant Maintain the public confidence in plant

operator’s safety management as well as operator’s safety management as well as regulator’s activities of maintaining the safety regulator’s activities of maintaining the safety and security of nuclear power generation. and security of nuclear power generation.

► Improve the availability of operating plants Improve the availability of operating plants through continuous innovation in maintenance through continuous innovation in maintenance and regulation area. and regulation area.

► Start the use of plutonium recovered by the Start the use of plutonium recovered by the reprocessing of spent fuel in LWRs. reprocessing of spent fuel in LWRs.

► Make sure the safe disposal of radioactive Make sure the safe disposal of radioactive wastes and steady progress in the activities to wastes and steady progress in the activities to determine high-level radioactive waste disposal determine high-level radioactive waste disposal sites. sites.

Source: Nuclear Power in Charts and Figures 2004–2005, Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan

A half of Japan’s energy depends on oil.

Japan Has Increased the Share of Nuclear Energy In Japan Has Increased the Share of Nuclear Energy In Primary Energy Supply Since Oil-Crisis. Primary Energy Supply Since Oil-Crisis.

1015 joules (peta joules)

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lum

e o

f su

pp

ly

Self-sufficiency ratio

First Oil Crisis Second Oil Crisis

Nuclear Natural gas

Oil

Other

Hydro

Coal

Self-sufficiency ratioSelf sufficiency ratio (with nuclear energy treated as an import)

Maintain the Public ConfidenceMaintain the Public Confidence

► Operators should unremittingly reconfirm safety Operators should unremittingly reconfirm safety first principle, maintain a mechanism to prevent first principle, maintain a mechanism to prevent misconducts, and nurture organizational culture misconducts, and nurture organizational culture to deter them, while making the most of lessons to deter them, while making the most of lessons learned from diverse experiences in the world.learned from diverse experiences in the world.

► Regulators should make efforts to maintain the Regulators should make efforts to maintain the transparency and accountability of regulatory transparency and accountability of regulatory activities by assuring the public involvement in activities by assuring the public involvement in regulatory decision processes. regulatory decision processes.

► Operators and regulators should facilitate risk Operators and regulators should facilitate risk communication with local communities, placing communication with local communities, placing priority to the understanding of what the people priority to the understanding of what the people wants to know. wants to know.

Improve the performance of Improve the performance of operating plants operating plants

► Make efforts to improve and expand the performance Make efforts to improve and expand the performance of existing plants and fuel cycle facilities by applying of existing plants and fuel cycle facilities by applying a broad range of technologies that enhance the long-a broad range of technologies that enhance the long-term performance of the plants and related facilities, term performance of the plants and related facilities, increase their capacity, and resolve material ageing. increase their capacity, and resolve material ageing.

In this efforts close attention should be paid to detail In this efforts close attention should be paid to detail

through rigorous risk assessment and management.through rigorous risk assessment and management.

Japan’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle Japan’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle StrategyStrategy

► Pursue the recycling of nuclear fuel materials through rePursue the recycling of nuclear fuel materials through reprocessing of spent fuel as nuclear power will be utilizeprocessing of spent fuel as nuclear power will be utilized as a long-term and major method of power generation d as a long-term and major method of power generation on a scale of more than 50 GWe and the number of higon a scale of more than 50 GWe and the number of high-level radioactive waste disposal sites should be minih-level radioactive waste disposal sites should be minimized. mized.

► Use the plutonium recovered in LWRs till the introductioUse the plutonium recovered in LWRs till the introduction of fast breeder reactors, starting from that recovered in of fast breeder reactors, starting from that recovered in Europe and then that recovered at the Rokkasho reprn Europe and then that recovered at the Rokkasho reprocessing plant, which is now in the final stage of comocessing plant, which is now in the final stage of commissioning test. missioning test.

Encourage Communities to Apply for Suitability Review as Encourage Communities to Apply for Suitability Review as an Area to locate the Site of Geological Disposal of High-Lan Area to locate the Site of Geological Disposal of High-L

evel Radioactive Wasteevel Radioactive Waste

StartR&D of geological disposal

1st R&D progressreport

R&D for safety regulation

Scientific research for deep underground

Enhancing reliability of disposal technique

1976 1992 2000 2006 2020 2040

Establishmentof NUMO

Site selection

R&D activities of JAEA 2nd R&D

progressreport

Operation

Activities of NUMO: Nuclear Waste Management Organization ~ 2007 Selection of preliminary investigation areas ~ 2012 Selection of areas for detailed investigation ~ 2027 Selection of site for repository

Nuclear Non-proliferation Regime

► International International Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT)Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) IAEA SafeguardsIAEA Safeguards NSG-guidelinesNSG-guidelines

►DomesticDomestic Regulation: Strict limitation to peaceful use, ObligatioRegulation: Strict limitation to peaceful use, Obligatio

n of material accounting and trade controln of material accounting and trade control Administrative guidance for Pu-inventory reporting anAdministrative guidance for Pu-inventory reporting an

d clarification of the objective for holding Pu inventoryd clarification of the objective for holding Pu inventory►The NPT regime remains under strain with challeThe NPT regime remains under strain with challe

nges such as Iran and North Korea.nges such as Iran and North Korea.

Dr. ElBaradai’s Call for the Development of Dr. ElBaradai’s Call for the Development of a New, Multilateral Approach to the Nuclear a New, Multilateral Approach to the Nuclear

Fuel CycleFuel Cycle

►Proposals for Assurance of Fuel Supply Proposals for Assurance of Fuel Supply The six-nations proposal : The six-nations proposal :

►Establish a last resort for fuel supply assurance as Establish a last resort for fuel supply assurance as a part of the IAEA to play intermediary roles based a part of the IAEA to play intermediary roles based on the enriched uranium endowed for that on the enriched uranium endowed for that purpose.purpose.

Russian proposal: Russian proposal: ►Establish international nuclear fuel cycle center.Establish international nuclear fuel cycle center.

Japan’s proposal: Japan’s proposal: ►Establish IAEA standby arrangements system for Establish IAEA standby arrangements system for

nuclear fuel supply.nuclear fuel supply.

Mid-term ActionsMid-term Actions

► Construct new nuclear power plants. Construct new nuclear power plants. ► Pursue the innovation of nuclear power plant Pursue the innovation of nuclear power plant

designs with respect to improved performance designs with respect to improved performance that can make the nuclear power competitive in that can make the nuclear power competitive in the social and economic conditions in 20-30 the social and economic conditions in 20-30 years. years.

► Assist developing countries to develop Assist developing countries to develop infrastructure needed to introduce nuclear infrastructure needed to introduce nuclear power.power.

New Plants under Construction and Preparation

►Construction phaseConstruction phase Hokkaido Tomari-3: PWR Hokkaido Tomari-3: PWR Chugoku Shimane-3: ABWRChugoku Shimane-3: ABWR

►CP review phaseCP review phase J-Power Ohma : ABWR (Full MOX core)J-Power Ohma : ABWR (Full MOX core) JAPC Tsuruga-3 and 4: APWRJAPC Tsuruga-3 and 4: APWR Tokyo Higashidori: ABWRTokyo Higashidori: ABWR

►Preparation for CP application phasePreparation for CP application phase Chugoku Kaminoseki-1, 2: ABWR, , , .Chugoku Kaminoseki-1, 2: ABWR, , , .

Development of Advanced LWR Development of Advanced LWR DesignsDesigns

► ABWRABWR: 4 units are in operation, 1 unit is under : 4 units are in operation, 1 unit is under construction and 3 units are under review for CPconstruction and 3 units are under review for CP

► ABWR-IIABWR-II: Various components for a larger output : Various components for a larger output unit are under development.unit are under development.

► APWRAPWR: 2 units are under review for CP. : 2 units are under review for CP. ► SBWRSBWR: Small and simpler passive safety systems : Small and simpler passive safety systems

like ESBWR are under development. like ESBWR are under development. ► A preliminary discussion has been started to A preliminary discussion has been started to

determine what Japanese industries should determine what Japanese industries should jointly pursue in preparation for the new jointly pursue in preparation for the new construction wave, including the development of construction wave, including the development of standardized next generation LWRs. standardized next generation LWRs.

International Cooperation for International Cooperation for Peaceful Uses of Nuclear EnergyPeaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy

► IAEAIAEA Technical cooperative activities; INPRO, PACT Technical cooperative activities; INPRO, PACT

etc.etc. Regional cooperative agreement (RCA)Regional cooperative agreement (RCA)

►OECD NEAOECD NEA Joint undertakings, Databank, etc.Joint undertakings, Databank, etc.

►Multilateral FrameworkMultilateral Framework Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia (FNCA)Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia (FNCA)

►Bilateral agreements Bilateral agreements Agreements to assist the development of Agreements to assist the development of

infrastructure to introduce nuclear powerinfrastructure to introduce nuclear power

Long-term ActionsLong-term Actions► Develop fast breeder reactors and advanced fuel Develop fast breeder reactors and advanced fuel

cycle technologies, aiming at their commercial cycle technologies, aiming at their commercial introduction at around 2050. introduction at around 2050. Enhanced safety and reliability, neighbor friendlinessEnhanced safety and reliability, neighbor friendliness Proliferation resistance and physical protectionProliferation resistance and physical protection Manageable nuclear wasteManageable nuclear waste effective fuel utilizationeffective fuel utilization

► A prototype FBR MONJU is right in the middle of A prototype FBR MONJU is right in the middle of improvement work: it is expected to restart its improvement work: it is expected to restart its operation in 2008. operation in 2008.

► JAEA is promoting a R&D program that will make JAEA is promoting a R&D program that will make it possible to initiate a demonstration plant it possible to initiate a demonstration plant project in 2015, aiming to start its operation in project in 2015, aiming to start its operation in 2025-2030.2025-2030.

Long-term ActionsLong-term Actions

► Explore engineering concepts of innovative Explore engineering concepts of innovative ideas of nuclear science and technology such as ideas of nuclear science and technology such as fusion, nuclear hydrogen, new application of fusion, nuclear hydrogen, new application of radiation etc., while constructing and operating radiation etc., while constructing and operating large scale research facilities for basic and large scale research facilities for basic and applied nuclear science and technologies, and applied nuclear science and technologies, and quantum beam technologies, in particular.quantum beam technologies, in particular.

Examples are JT-60, HTTR, HIMAC , J-PARC, ITERExamples are JT-60, HTTR, HIMAC , J-PARC, ITER

JT-60

J-PARC

HTTR

Multilateral Co-ordination of Multilateral Co-ordination of R&D Activities R&D Activities

► Co-ordination of research activities beyond Co-ordination of research activities beyond national prestige to reduce the duplication of national prestige to reduce the duplication of effort at the world level must be an absolute effort at the world level must be an absolute priority for the realization of the required priority for the realization of the required technological innovations in a timely manner.technological innovations in a timely manner.

► Japan is pursuing the co-ordination with Japan is pursuing the co-ordination with various countries of long-term capital various countries of long-term capital intensive R&D efforts for the benefit of global intensive R&D efforts for the benefit of global community in future.community in future. ITERITER Generation Four International Forum (GIF)Generation Four International Forum (GIF) Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP)Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP)

ConclusionConclusion► Japan will continue the efforts to expand the use of nuclear Japan will continue the efforts to expand the use of nuclear

energy not only in Japan but also in the world by rectifying thenergy not only in Japan but also in the world by rectifying the defects and improving the competitiveness of the technole defects and improving the competitiveness of the technologies as global community is definitely required to increase ogies as global community is definitely required to increase carbon-free energy supply to stabilize atmospheric COcarbon-free energy supply to stabilize atmospheric CO2 2 concconcentration. entration.

► We want to promote a thoughtful mix of near-term, mid-terWe want to promote a thoughtful mix of near-term, mid-term, and long-term actions for this purpose, making these actm, and long-term actions for this purpose, making these actions transparent to the public so as to get feedback on their ions transparent to the public so as to get feedback on their direction incessantly.direction incessantly.

► Japan would like to positively promote nuclear non-proliferatJapan would like to positively promote nuclear non-proliferation and participate in endeavors to co-ordinate long-term reion and participate in endeavors to co-ordinate long-term research activities at the world level as has been done so in tsearch activities at the world level as has been done so in the cases of universalization of Additional Protocol, MNA, GIhe cases of universalization of Additional Protocol, MNA, GIF, INPRO, ITER etc. for the benefit of global community as wF, INPRO, ITER etc. for the benefit of global community as well as of Japan. ell as of Japan.