Japan’s Nuclear Energy Program

1. Japan’s Nuclear Energy Program

2. Japan’s Basic Nuclear Policy • Atomic Energy Basic Law, 1955: Peaceful use of nuclear energy • Compliance with international protocol: Joined the Nonproliferation Treaty in 1976

3. Background • 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

4. Japan’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. )

5. Source: Japan Atomic Energy Agency

6. Japan 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

7. Historical Overview of Nuclear Program 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)

8. Current Policy of Japan’s Nuclear Power 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

9. Major Nuclear Power Plant Accidents • 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

10. Japan’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle Policy • 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.

11. Plutonium 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

12. Rokkasho Nuclear Facilities Reprocessing Plant Spent Fuel Receiving and Storage Facilities Source: Japan’s Nuclear Power

13. Transportation of Nuclear Materials Source: Japan’s nuclear power program, Federation of Electric Power companies of Japan

14. Japan’s Efforts in Promoting Nuclear Disarmament and 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

15. Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (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

16. Benefits vs. Risks

17. A Special Thank You to Masako Toki at the Monterey Institute of International Studies