20 September, 2018
62nd IAEA GC Opens: Japan’s Minister of State for Science Stresses National Policy of Reducing Plutonium Holdings
On September 17, the 62nd General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) opened in Vienna for a five-day period of speeches and other events.
In a video message watched by the attendees, Director General Yukiya Amano emphasized the Agency’s responsibilities in nuclear nonproliferation, as well as its support for member countries in using nuclear energy for their development and growth.
In his speech at the conference as the representative of the Japanese government, Masaji Matsuyama, Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy, talked about the North Korean nuclear issue. He said that Japan supported the reaffirmation of that country’s intention towards complete denuclearization—made at the June summit in Singapore held between United States President Donald Trump and Chairman Kim Jong Un—as a step towards the comprehensive resolution of outstanding issues regarding that country.
Japan calls for the international c...more
- 30 August, 2018 International Mentoring Workshop in Science and Engineering for Women Held in Tokyo
- 6 July, 2018 Strategic Energy Plan Approved by Cabinet: FEPC Chairman Calls It “Key Policy of the Nation”
- 4 July, 2018 Court of Second Instance Approves Operation of Ohi NPPs
- 29 June, 2018 JAIF President Personally Sad to See Fukushima Daini Go
- 25 June, 2018 LDP Diet Caucus Delivers Strategic Energy Plan Proposal to METI Minister, Calling for Early NPP Restarts and New NPP Construction
- 12 June, 2018 Cabinet Approves FY2017 White Paper on Energy Policy, Including Overview from Mid-1800s to 2050
- 29 May, 2018 JAIF President Sees HTGRs Carrying Japanese Technology to World, Helping to Secure Human Resources
- 28 May, 2018 ANRE Verifies Summer Electricity Supply and Demand Projections, Expecting 3% Reserve Capacity Margin in All Service Areas
- 28 May, 2018 JRI Projects 20% Lower Power Consumption in 2050 than in 2016
- 28 May, 2018 Committee Members Voice Opinions on Draft of Revised Strategic Energy Plan, Eyeing 2050
- 18 May, 2018 Draft of Revised Strategic Energy Plan Aims for Firm Implementation of 2030 Energy Mix, Eyeing 2050 As Well
- 18 May, 2018 Council of Local Governments with Atomic Power Stations Asks National Government to Clarify Policy
- 9 May, 2018 [51st JAIF Annual Conference] Session 1: Energy Policy
13 September, 2018
NRA Chairman Rebuts Idea that Hokkaido Blackouts Could Have Been Averted Had Tomari NPPs Been Restarted
At a regular press briefing on September 12, Chairman Toyoshi Fuketa of Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA), referring to the effects of the recent massive earthquake in Hokkaido on the Tomari Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) located there, emphasized the principle of the new regulatory standards and the fact that power supplies must be secured without reliance on external sources.
The earthquake, described officially as the Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake, occurred during the pre-dawn hours of September 6, and caused widespread blackouts throughout the island. At the press briefing, Fuketa rebutted the idea that the blackouts would not have occurred had the NPPs been restarted, saying, “Confirming the safety of a nuclear plant and ensuring the power supply are two entirely separate issues. The NRA’s judgment will not be affected by other considerations.”
On the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 0 to 7, the earthquake registered 7 at its epicenter in Atsuma Town, 5 in Sapporo City, and 2 in Tomari Village, the location of the Tomari NPPs (PWR x 3 units, 2070MWe total), owned and operated by the Hokkaido Electric Power Co.
The operation of all three units at...more
