Japan’s Nuclear Energy ProgramJapan’s Nuclear Energy Program

Japan’s Basic Nuclear PolicyJapan’s Basic Nuclear Policy

• Atomic Energy Basic Law, 1955: Peaceful use of nuclear energy

• Compliance with international protocol:

Joined the Nonproliferation Treaty in 1976

BackgroundBackground• The only country that suffered from nuclear

devastation

• Almost no indigenous energy sources • Large energy consumption with scarce natural

resources• More than 80 % of energy imported• Efforts to minimize dependence on current imports.• Increasing reliance on nuclear energy

Aug.6, 1945, Hiroshima, 140,000 killed Aug.9, 1945, Nagasaki, 74,000 killed

Japan’s Nuclear Energy FactsJapan’s Nuclear Energy Facts

• First commercial nuclear power reactor began operation in mid 1966

• Japan imports nearly all of its energy resources including uranium.

• Over 30% of its power needs are supplied by nuclear energy. Projected to be 37% in 2009, 41 % in 2014

• 55 Nuclear power reactors across the country produce approximately 50 gigawatts of energy (2 under construction, 11 planned. )

Source: Japan Atomic Energy Agency

Japan and The Nuclear CommunityJapan and The Nuclear Community

• Nonproliferation Treaty– Japan signed the NPT in 1970, and acceded in

1976– Reluctance to join the NPT at first mainly due to its

discriminatory nature, internal debates over possible nuclearization, and concern over nuclear energy

– Commitment to nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament remains unchanged since its accession.

• Bilateral agreement on peaceful use :– US, UK, France, China, Australia, and Kazakhstan

Historical Overview of Nuclear Historical Overview of Nuclear Program and PolicyProgram and Policy

• Atoms for Peace speech by Eisenhower in 1953.• Started nuclear research program in 1954• Atomic energy basic law 1955• Inauguration of the Atomic Energy Commission 1956

– The Science & Technology agency, Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, and Atomic Fuel Corporation were established under the law

• Imported its first commercial nuclear power reactor from the UK. • Light water reactors (LWR), boiling water reactors, or pressurized

water reactors have been constructed. (began commercial operation in 1970).

• By the end of the 1970s, Japanese industry (Hitachi, Toshiba, Mitsubishi Heavy Industry developed the capacity to design and construct LWR’s to export to other countries.)

• Nuclear energy has been a national strategic priority since 1973 (Oil Embargo)

Current Policy of Japan’s Nuclear Current Policy of Japan’s Nuclear Power ProgramPower Program

• Kyoto Protocol 2002: Japan would rely on nuclear energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

• Continue to have nuclear power as a major element of electricity production

• Develop a faster breed of reactors in order to improve uranium utilization dramatically

• Steady promotion of measures for safe disposal of high level radioactive waste

• Promote nuclear energy to the public-Go Green

Major Nuclear Power Plant Major Nuclear Power Plant AccidentsAccidents

• 1995: Monju (Fukui prefecture) (Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor, shut down since the 1995 sodium leak and fire accident

• 1999: Tokaimura, Three workers received high doses of radiation. Two died.

• 2003: 17 TEPCO plants shut down over falsified safety records

• 2004: Mihama, 5 workers were killed by steam from corroded pipe

• July 2007: Kashiwazaki Kariya, damaged by earthquake

Japan’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle Japan’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle PolicyPolicy

• Japan is pursuing a closed nuclear fuel cycle. • Resource-poor Japan’s need to recycle uranium,

semi domestic energy source.• Currently, Japan’s spent nuclear fuels have

been reprocessed in the UK and France• Tokai reprocessing plant since commencing pilot

operation in 1977. But small amount. (200 ton per year)

• Construction of new nuclear fuel cycle facilities in Rokkasho Village.

Plutonium Production ProgramPlutonium Production Program

• Committed to development of a self-sufficient plutonium-based nuclear fuel cycle. “utmost importance”

• Construction of Fast Breeder Reactors and reprocessing facilities. Fast breeder reactors will be introduced commercially by 2050 (currently, only prototype exists)

• Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant construction

• Plutonium stockpile enough for 10,000 weapons.

Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor Monju

Experimental Fast Breeder Reactor Joyo

Rokkasho Nuclear Facilities Rokkasho Nuclear Facilities

•

Source: Japan’s Nuclear Power

Reprocessing Plant

Spent Fuel Receiving and Storage Facilities

Transportation of Nuclear MaterialsTransportation of Nuclear Materials

Source: Japan’s nuclear power program, Federation of Electric Power companies of Japan

Japan’s Efforts in Promoting Nuclear Disarmament Japan’s Efforts in Promoting Nuclear Disarmament and Nonproliferationand Nonproliferation

• Full compliance with IAEASafeguards– IAEA Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and Additional

Protocol

• Strengthen IAEA Safeguards• Nuclear Security (Physical Protection)• Development of proliferation resistant nuclear technology• Management of spent fuel and radioactive waste

disposal• Contribution to the G-8 Global Partnership against the

spread of WMD• Strengthening export controls, assistance to countries in

the region• Bilateral agreements

Global Nuclear Energy Partnership Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP)(GNEP)

• Japan is in the nuclear fuel supply side of the GNEP

• US-Japan Joint Nuclear Energy Action Plan– Cooperation of nuclear energy research and

development to advance new technologies– Collaboration on policies and programs supporting

new nuclear power plants in the US and Japan– Establishment of and international nuclear fuel supply

assurance mechanism– Joint collaboration to support safe and secure

expansion of nuclear energy in interested countries while promoting nonproliferation

Benefits vs. RisksBenefits vs. Risks

A Special Thank You to Masako A Special Thank You to Masako Toki at the Monterey Institute of Toki at the Monterey Institute of

International StudiesInternational Studies