* Atomic Energy Society of Japan

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See also Fukushima news page

April 15, 2013

* [npp-Japan] News Update, JAIF
* Prime Minister Mentions Restarting Reactors at Budget Committee
* Fewer Students Attend JAIF Nuclear Industry Seminar, Signaling ・・・ 
* Hitachi Develops New Absorbent for Treating Water at Fukushima ・・・ 
* Japan's National Institute of Radiological Science Investigates・・・ 

March 1, 2013

* [npp-Japan] Japan to Begin Restarting Idled Nuclear Plants, Leader Says, Martin Fackler and Hiroko Tabuchi, The New York Times, Feb 28 (via Nuclear Energy Institute email)
NEI titled their description of this story as "Japan PM pledges to authorize reactor restarts this year". Here's how NEI characterized the story: "Japanese nuclear plants that pass stricter safety rules will be given the go-ahead to restart later in the year, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said. Japan learned that tougher rules were necessary after the Fukushima Daiichi incident, and such standards will be implemented 'without compromise,' Abe said. The country will continue to find other means to lessen its nuclear energy reliance, he added."

* [npp-Japan] Editorial: Mr. Abe's plan for Japan, Japan Times (thanx Nevada state ANP)

* [npp-Japan] Japan to Begin Restarting Idled Nuclear Plants, Leader Says, MARTIN FACKLER and HIROKO TABUCHI, New York Times (thanx Nevada state ANP)

* [reprocessing-UK-Japan] Sellafield Nuclear Waste Cargo Safely Shipped to Japan, Julian Whittle, Cumberland News (thanx Nevada state ANP)
* The waste derives from used nuclear fuel belonging to Japanese customers that was reprocessed at Sellafield. It was then vitrified into glass blocks ready for its return.
* International Nuclear Services and its subsidiary Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited handle the shipments... The Pacific Grebe is a purpose-built vessel which was launched in 2010. She and her sister ships, Pacific Heron and Pacific Egret, have double hulls designed to withstand a collision and are equipped with security and safety features to protect the cargo from terrorist attacks.

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January 26, 2013

Japan - nuclear plant security upgrades will include requiring background checks for workers

Japan is the only developed country with nuclear power plants that has not established a counterterrorism program to protect its nuclear facilities, according to informed sources. The Nuclear Regulation Authority will launch an expert study panel next month tasked with suggesting improvements in security at nuclear facilities. One sure thing: NRA will seek mandatory background checks for nuclear workers. The International Atomic Energy Agency recommended background checks for nuclear workers in all countries in 1999 and 2011. Such checks have been in place for workers at nuclear facilities in Europe and the United States for more than 10 years. The background checks cover such as things as criminal records, debts and alcohol or drug dependence. The checks are carefully analyzed to determine if the applicant's problems could be exploited by terrorists. Presently, applicants in Japan only have to produce a driver's license or other specified forms of identification. The NRA plans to prepare a rough draft of its nuclear counterterrorism plans in time for the Nuclear Security Summit to be held in the Netherlands in March next year.

Source: The Daily Yomiuri (Tokyo), "Background checks planned for N-workers", January 27, 2013, p. 2

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Japan nuclear plants - 60,000 radiation workers

According to a survey by the Japan Nuclear Energy Safety Organization, more than 60,000 workers enter radiation control areas near nuclear reactors nationwide every year.

Source: Sho Funakoshi (Yomiuri Shimbun staff writer), "Information control needed", The Daily Yomiuri (Tokyo), January 27, 2013, p. 2

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Japan - no background checks of nuclear plant workers, due to privacy concerns

The Japanese government considered adopting background checks for employees at nuclear facilities after the 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States. However, the plan was shelved due to fear of criticism that the checks would constitute invasion of privacy.

Source: Sho Funakoshi (Yomiuri Shimbun staff writer), "Information control needed", The Daily Yomiuri (Tokyo), January 27, 2013, p. 2

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