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Model Nuclear
Inventory 2007
Japan
- Location and capability of nuclear facilities
- Fissile material holdings
- Nuclear activities
- International non-proliferation efforts
- Positions taken in international fora on
various issues of disarmament
1.
Location and Capability of Nuclear Facilities
Japan has developed a nuclear program for non-military purposes
since the 1950s. Its first commercial reactor began operating
in 1966. Due to problems at Tokyo Electric Power Company,
with all reactors closed down at one stage, nuclear energy
production lowered in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Today, nuclear
energy accounts for 30% of Japan's total energy production.
Japan has few natural resources of its own, and depends on
imports for some 80% of its energy needs. http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf79.html
http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/reactors.html
In April 2006, the Institute of Energy Economics forecast
that in 2030 Japan's primary energy demand will decrease 10%
while electricity use will increase, and that the nuclear
share will be 41%, from 63 GWe of capacity. Ten new units
could come on line by 2030. Also in April 2006, the Tokyo
Metropolitan Government issued its Renewable Energy Strategy
in an attempt to go beyond the level of pilot projects and
increase renewable energy use in the city to 20%
of all energy supplies by the year 2020.
In May 2006, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party urged the
government to accelerate development of fast breeder reactors
(FBRs), calling this "a basic national technology".
It proposed a increased budget, better coordination in moving
from R&D to verification and implementation, and international
cooperation. Japan is already playing a leading role in the
Generation IV initiative, with focus on sodiumcooled FBRs,
though the 280 MWe Monju prototype FBR remains shut down.
http://www.uic.com.au/nip79.htm
Power Reactors
Operational: 55
Shut down: 3
Decommissioned: 0
Under Construction: 1
w.iaea.or.at/programmes/a2/
Research Reactors
Operational: 13
Shut down: 7
Decommissioned: 3
Planned: 0
http://www.iaea.or.at/worldatom/rrdb/
Uranium Mines
Japan terminated its domestic uranium exploration program
in 1988. Mining interests previously held by the Japanese
government abroad are being transferred to the private sector.
However, the government will subsidize half the cost of uranium
exploration abroad to support private companies for the fiscal
year of 2007. US$8.4 million in subsidies will be provided.
Most of the money is directed to deposists in Australia, Canada,
and Kazakhstan.
http://www.e-convention.org/imhc/papers/Sakamaki_e.pdf
http://www.wise-uranium.org/upasi.html#JP
Fuel Cycle
Japan has been developing a complete domestic nuclear fuel
cycle industry, based on imported uranium. A small uranium
refining and conversion plant is operated by Japan Nuclear
Cycle Development Institute (JNC), as well as a small centrifuge
enrichment demonstration plant, at Ningyo Toge, Okayama prefecture.
Most enrichment services are imported, but Japan Nuclear Fuel
Ltd (JNFL) operates a commercial enrichment plant at Rokkasho.
In December 2004, the reprocessing plant in Rokkasho commenced
uranium trials, and is the only large-scale reprocessing plant
in the world expected to begin full-scale operations in the
near future. http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf79.html
Reprocessing Plants
Since 1956, the Japanese policy has been to maximize the use
of imported uranium, extracting an extra 25-30% of energy
from nuclear fuel by recycling the unburned uranium and plutonium
as mixed-oxide fuel (MOX). Until recently, the reprocessing
of spent fuel has been done in Europe by British Nuclear Fuel,
Ltd (BNFL) and Cogema, with vitrified high-level wastes being
returned to Japan for disposal. This cooperation terminated
in 2005.
Japan has announced plans to use MOX fuel in 16-18 reactors
by the year 2010. Major local protests, however, have prevented
this to date. http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf79.htm
http://www.world-nuclear.org/nb/nb05/latestnews.htm
2.
Fissile Material Holdings
Separated Civil Plutonium: 40.6 tons (5.4
tons in-country, 35.2 tons in other countries)
Estimated by 2010: 62 tons (51-64)
Estimated by 2015: 58 tons (24-91)
Estimated by 2020: 50 tons (15-86)
http://www.isis-online.org/global_stocks/end2003/plutonium_watch2005.pdf
The high uncertainty ranges in paranthesis following the projections
reflect the uncertain timing of Japan’s use of MOX in
reactors and the amount of plutonium it plans to separate
in the Rokkasho reprocessing plant.
HEU: 2 tons
Supplier: US, UK
http://www.isis-online.org/global_stocks/end2003/civil_heu_watch2005.pdf
Radioactive waste disposal
Low-level waste: The Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited-owned
center in Rokkasho works as repository for low-level waste
generated at nuclear power plants throughout Japan. The disposal
method is shallow burial of the waste in drum cans. http://cnic.jp/english/topics/cycle/rokkasho/rokkashodata.html#llw
High-level waste: The high-level waste stored at
Rokkasho today is waste produced during reprocessing overseas
and returned to Japan, as reprocessing has not yet started
at the site. More waste will be returned in the future and
more storage space will be required. In March 2001, Japan
Nuclear Fuel (JNFL) put forward a proposal to construct an
additional interim storage facility at the Rokkasho site to
store vitrified high-level waste returned from overseas, as
the existing waste storage center will be filled by the end
of 2005.
In January 2005, the operating storage was subject to a safety
inspection, which found major problems with the cooling system
of the vitrified high-level waste storage buildings. Too high
a temperature in the storage risks leading to cracks in the
glass canisters holding the vitrified waste. http://cnic.jp/english/newsletter/nit105/nit105articles/nit105glassrok.html
http://cnic.jp/english/topics/cycle/rokkasho/rokkashodata.html#reproc
In June 2000, a law about final disposal of nuclear waste
was announced and strategies for the disposal of high-level
waste were formulated. In October the same year, authorization
was granted to establish the Nuclear Waste Management Organization
of Japan (NUMO). NUMO is responsible for identification of
the disposal site, construction, operation and maintenance
of the repository, closure of the facility and post-closure
institutional control. http://www.numo.or.jp/english/jigyou/new_eng_tab03.html
Construction of a repository in granite or sedimentary rock
is planned for the 2030s. NUMO has begun an open solicitation
process to find a site, and by 2007 will shortlist potentially
suitable offers. The promising ones will be subject to detailed
investigation by 2012. A third phase to 2025 will end with
site selection.
http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/printable_information_papers/inf79print.htm
Renewable Energy: In 2006, renewable energy supplied
about 2.7 percent of the total energy demand from Tokyo's
approximately 12.5 million people. Power and heat from waste
incineration plants, and solar light and heat are the major
sources of renewable energy in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
The government has installed several pilot projects: wind
generators in the Tokyo waterfront area, and a water treatment
plant that uses one of Japan's largest solar generators. http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/apr2006/2006-04-06-05.asp
3.
Nuclear Activities
Research Centers
Central Institute of Isotope Science
CRIEPI: Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry
Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University
INSAF: International Network for Safety Assurance of Fuel
Cycle Industries
JAERI: Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute
JANTI: Japan Nuclear Technology Institute
Kansai Research Establishment
KEK: High Energy Accelerator Research Organization
KENS Neutron Scattering Facility
Kobelco Research Institute
LDRC: Low Dose Radiation Research Center
Musashi Institute of Technology -Atomic Energy Research Institute
NIC: Nuclear Information Center
NIFS: National Institute for Fusion Science
NIRE: National Institute for Resources & Environment
NIRS: Japanese National Institute of Radiological Sciences
NMCC: Nuclear Material Control Center
NUSTEC: Nuclear Safety Technology Center Office of Nuclear
Ship Research & Development
Office of Nuclear Ship Research & Development
ReaD: Research and Development Database
RERF: Radiation Effects Research Foundation
RIKEN: Institute of Physical & Chemical Research
SARL: Severe Accident Research Laboratory
SPring-8 Synchrotron Radiation Facility
SRI: Ship Research Institute
TIARA Research Facilities.
http://www.radwaste.org/research.htm
Nuclear Cooperation
France, UK: Reprocessing Japanese spent fuel has
been largely undertaken in Europe by BNFL and Cogema. Vitrified
high-level wastes are then returned to Japan for disposal.
Plutonium recovered by reprocessing in the UK and France will
be used mainly as mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel. Full-scale operation
of JNFL’s reprocessing plant at Rokkasho started in
July 2006. To date, Japan has received four shipments containing
over two tons of its reactor-grade plutonium from Europe.
http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/printable_information_papers/inf79print.htm
US: In May, 2004, The US Department of Energy and
Japan’s Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (ANRE)
signed an arrangement to increase nuclear cooperation, focusing
especially on light water technologies, processing technologies
of oxide fuel for light water reactors, and fuel technologies
using solvent extraction and other areas. The US and Japan
have also signed a safeguards and nonproliferation agreement,
a nuclear technology agreement, and a waste management agreement.
http://www.ne.doe.gov/ineri/ineriagreementsjapan.html
http://www.jaea.go.jp/jnc/jncweb/03inter/03index.html
In 2007, the United States and Japan will collaborate on a
plan to build new nuclear power plants, the plan will build
upon the civilian nuclear energy technical cooperation already
underway between the two countries and will include regulatory
and nonproliferation-related nuclear exchanges. The US will
also welcome Japanese participation in the $1 billion FutureGen
Project, a United States sponsored initiative to construct
the world’s first emission-free coal fired electricity
generation plant, to be constructed in the United States at
a site yet to be selected. The project will employ coal gasification
technology integrated with combined cycle electricity generation
and the sequestration of carbon
dioxide emissions. http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jan2007/2007-01-10-01.asp
Russia: In February of 2007, Russian Energy Minister
Viktor Khristenko and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso agreed
to strengthen ties for oil and natural gas development. http://nuclearno.com/text.asp?11600
Taiwan: In May 2004, Japan and Taiwan signed an agreement
to promote bilateral cooperation in nuclear energy control
and safety. http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/taiwan/2004/taiwan-040526-cna02.htm
China: In 1994, an agreement on nuclear safety cooperation
was signed, in addition to a 1985 nuclear energy cooperation
agreement. http://www.nti.org/db/china/nca.htm
Canada, France, Germany, Republic of Korea, Russia, Switzerland,
UK: Japan has signed several technology and waste management
agreements with these countries. http://www.jaea.go.jp/jnc/jncweb/03inter/03index.html
Japan has been involved in training nuclear power personnel
from Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Hungary and the Czech and
Slovak Republics in all aspects of nuclear safety. http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf38.htm
4.
International Non-proliferation Efforts
Japan is also a participant in the G8 Global Partnership
against the spread of weapons and materials of mass destruction,
launched in Kananaskis, Canada 2002.
Treaties Signed and Ratified, date of deposit
Antarctic Treaty, 4 August 1960
APM Convention, 30 September 1998
Biological Weapons Convention, 8 June 1982
Certain Conventional Weapons Convention, 9 June 1982
Chemical Weapons Convention, 15 September 1995
Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, 8 July 1997
Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material,
28 October 1988
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, 8 June 1976
Outer Space Treaty, 10 October 1967
Seabed Treaty, 21 June 1971
Japan ratified the IAEA Additional Protocol on 16 December
1999.
Multilateral Groups
Australia Group
Conference on Disarmament
Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation
Missile Technology Control Regime
Nuclear Suppliers Group
Proliferation Security Initiative
Wassenaar Arrangement
Zangger Committee
5.
Positions Taken in International Fora on Various Issues of
Nuclear Disarmament
FMCT: "Through prohibiting the production of
fissile material for nuclear weapons or other explosive devices,
an FMCT will not only limit the production of nuclear weapons
by the nuclear weapon States, but also prevent the appearance
of new nuclear-weapon States. From the twin perspectives of
nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation it will become an
important milestone. Furthermore, this Treaty will significantly
contribute to the stability of the international security
environment." - Statement by Mr. Hamada, Vice-Minister
of Foreign Affairs, to the Conference on Disarmament, 13 March
2007. http://www.reachingcriticalwill.org/political/cd/speeches07/1session/March13Japan.pdf
FMCT: "It has been argued, both inside and outside
this Conference, that an FMCT that does not cover existing
stocks is merely a non-proliferation issue. In order to eliminate
nuclear weapons, however, it is absolutely imperative that
we end their production and halt the nuclear arms race. Moreover,
while the CTBT institutes a qualitative cap, an FMCT will
institute a quantitative cap on the production of nuclear
weapons. Thus, an FMCT is primarily a measure for nuclear
disarmament." - Statement by Mr. Yoshinobu Hiraishi
to the Conference on Disarmament, 6 February 2007.
http://www.reachingcriticalwill.org/political/cd/speeches07/1session/Feb6Japan.pdf
Nuclear Disarmament: "As the only nation to
have experienced devastation of nuclear attack, Japan has
placed its greatest importance on nuclear disarmament."
- Statement by Mr. Yoshinobu Hiraishi to the Conference
on Disarmament, 6 February 2007. http://www.reachingcriticalwill.org/political/cd/speeches07/1session/Feb6Japan.pdf
Nuclear Doctrines: "The nuclear-weapon states
should also further reduce the operational status of nuclear
weapon systems in ways that promote international stability
and security. Diminishing the role of nuclear weapons in security
policies is essential to minimizing the risk that these weaposn
will ever be used, and facilitates the process of their total
elimination." - Statement by Mr. Yoshinobu Hiraishi
to the Conference on Disarmament, 6 February 2007.
http://www.reachingcriticalwill.org/political/cd/speeches07/1session/Feb6Japan.pdf
Disarmament Education: "As part of our long
term efforts toward nuclear disarmament, Japan attached great
importance to disarmament and non-proliferation education...
Furthermore, Japan highly values the work of civil society
in disarmament and non-proliferation education and intends
to continue its close cooperation with their activities."
- Statement by Mr. Yoshinobu Hiraishi to the Conference on
Disarmament, 6 February 2007.
http://www.reachingcriticalwill.org/political/cd/speeches07/1session/Feb6Japan.pdf
Non-Governmental Organizations: "First of all
I would like to express my appreciation for today's NGO presentations
on various disarmament issues. Japan highly values the activities
by civil society, and continues to closely cooperate with
NGOs. Today I would like to take this opportunity to touch
upon disarmament and non-proliferation education, as NGOs
play a significant role in this field." - Statement
by H.E. Mr. Yoshiki Mine to the First Commmittee on Disarmament
and International Security, 19 October 2006. http://www.reachingcriticalwill.org/political/1com/1com06/statements/Japanoct19.doc
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