Home (English)	Refer to the top page of English HP for newest AIJ news! 24 Dec 2008 Major News related to Atomic Energy in Japan in 2008 24 Dec 2008 Chubu Electric Announces Replacement Plan for Hamaoka NPS: Decommission Hamaoka-1 and -2 and Construct Unit 6 24 Dec 2008 New NPP Inspection System to Start in New Year 24 Dec 2008 JNFL: Stirring Rod Used in Vitrification Furnece at Reprocessing Plant Bent at Right Angle 24 Dec 2008 Utilization of J-PARC Accelerator Commences at Tokaimura 24 Dec 2008 JAIF Hosts Nuclear Industry Seminar, with 500 Students and 45 Companies 16 Dec 2008 FNCA Ministerial Meeting in Manila Stresses Development of Nuclear Power Infrastructure and Radiation Application - FNCA Japanese Coordinator, Dr. Sueo Machi Reports 16 Dec 2008 IAEA Mission Team Completes Second Follow-up Inspection 16 Dec 2008 JAIF Hosts Symposium on HLW-Subtitled "From NIMBY to PIMBY" 10 Dec 2008 JAIF Sends Delegation to India to Attend 19th Annual Conference of the Indian Nuclear Society 10 Dec 2008 IAEA Mission Makes Inspection Visit to Kashiwazaki-Kariwa NPS on December 4 10 Dec 2008 Status of Nuclear Power Generation in Japan in November 2008 03 Dec 2008 JSW Announces Giant Increase in Production Capacity Due to Boost in Demand from Japan and Abroad 03 Dec 2008 Completion of JNFL's Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant Postponed until February 2009 03 Dec 2008 FNCA Holds Ministerial-level Meeting in Manila 03 Dec 2008 ITER Board Meets in France, Issuing Communique 03 Dec 2008 Seventh Meeting on Japan-Russia Nuclear Cooperation Agreement Held in Tokyo 26 Nov 2008 International Symposium on Climate Change Held in Tokyou: Formaer Environment Minister Yuriko Koike Says Nuclear Energy to Be Emphasized 26 Nov 2008 UAE, Jordan and Others Request Japan for Cooperation in Newly Introducing Nuclear Power: Speech by ANRE Director Takahashi 26 Nov 2008 Medical Tc-99m to Be Produced Domestically in Japan Using JAEA's JMTR 26 Nov 2008 Restoration Work at Kashiwazaki Kariwa NPS Progressing Smoothly: System Tests Begin on Unit 6 19 Nov 2008 Commencement of Operations Ohma NPS to Be Postponed to November 2014 19 Nov 2008 Next May's PIF Summit Meeting to Discuss Nuclear Fuel Transportation 19 Nov 2008 IAEA Mission to Make Third Inspection Visit of Kashiwazaki Kariwa NPS in December 19 Nov 2008 JSW Signs Contract with AREVA for Long-term Supply of Major Forged Products 19 Nov 2008 Nissan, JAEA to Jointly Develop System to Visualize Lubricating Oil Behavior: World's First Precision High-speed Neutron Imaging System 19 Nov 2008 Toyo Tanso and Sumitomo Receive Order from China for Graphite for GCR 19 Nov 2008 Organo Corporation to Cultivate U.S. NPP Market 12 Nov 2008 Subcommittee on International Affairs Holds First Meeting, Discussing International Cooperation and Fuel Supply 12 Nov 2008 Democratic Party of Japan Outlines Nuclear Policy, Proposing a More Independent and Stronger Nuclear Safety Regulatory Commission 12 Nov 2008 13th MaxiMarathon Held in Kyoto 12 Nov 2008 Status of Nuclear Power Generation in Japan in October 2008 05 Nov 2008 Indian and Japanese Leaders Meet in Tokyo, Discussing Nuclear Cooperation 05 Nov 2008 JSME Lauds Kashiwazaki Kariwa Operation Teams for Seismic Response Efforts 05 Nov 2008 Toshiba and Westinghouse Jointly Win Long-Term Contract from EDF to Maintain NPP Generators 05 Nov 2008 JAIF Conducts Energy Awareness Survey over Internet 29 Oct 2008 JAEA Issues 2100 Vision: Nuclear to Account for About 70% of Generated Electricity 29 Oct 2008 Japanese Firms Move to Acquire Uranium Rights and Interests in Australia and Uzbekistan 29 Oct 2008 [News In Brief]Former Prime Minister Nakasone Receives "Atoms for Peace" Prize 21 Oct 2008 16th Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference Held in Aomori 21 Oct 2008 JNFL Restarts Vitrification Tests 21 Oct 2008 JNFL Begins Preparations to Construct MOX Fuel Fabrication Plant 21 Oct 2008 JAIF Launches Professor Mukaibo Project with Financial Support to WNU Trainees 15 Oct 2008 Japanese and French Nuclear Energy Experts Meet in France to Discuss Broad Range of Topics 15 Oct 2008 Rare Metals Extracted from Hot-spring Water Using High-performance Fabric 15 Oct 2008 JAIF Opens Booth at IAEA General Conference in Vienna 15 Oct 2008 JAEA Expands Cooperation with EDF on Fast Reactors 15 Oct 2008 Reps of 11 French Nuclear-related Companies Visit Japan, Exchanging Views on Fusion with Japanese Counterparts 08 Oct 2008 J-PARC Facility Succeeds in Generating High-intensity Muon Beam 08 Oct 2008 NISA Reports NSC: TEPCO's Report on Kashiwazaki-Kariwa-7 NPS "Appropriate" 08 Oct 2008 Ambassador Amano Officially Fielded as Next IAEA Director-General 08 Oct 2008 Japan's NPP Capacity Factor Drops to 58% for First Half of Fiscal 2008 30 Sep 2008 New Aso Cabinet Inaugurated: Shionoya Named MEXT Minister and Nikai Reappointed as METI Minister 30 Sep 2008 AEC Begins Deliberations on Partitioning and Transmutation Technology 30 Sep 2008 MHI and Luminant Create Joint Venture to Develop New NPP 30 Sep 2008 Maxi Marathon Between Kyoto and Takahama to Be Held in November 24 Sep 2008 METI Plans to Develop New Vitrification Technology in Three-year Plan 24 Sep 2008 AEC of Japan Strongly Urges India to Take "Responsible Action" after NSG Decision 24 Sep 2008 Chubu Electric Sued Hitachi for Compensation Arising from Faulty Rotors at Hamaoka-5 17 Sep 2008 Japan Concurred with NSG Approval of US-India Nuclear Cooperation 17 Sep 2008 Japan Finance Corporation (JFC) to Be Launched in October, Enabling Investment Credits for U.S. NPP Construction 17 Sep 2008 Japan's Total Plutonium Holdings Stand at 31.2 Tons, with Domestic Holdings Up 6 Tons, While Overseas Storage Unchanged 17 Sep 2008 JAEA and KAERI Inked New Agreement on Cooperation 17 Sep 2008 Mitsubishi Electric Developed Ultra-compact Palm-sized Accelerator 10 Sep 2008 Ministries and Agencies Asked for Nuclear Budget 6% Boost in Fiscal 2009 - Focusing on Technological Development and International Cooperation 10 Sep 2008 Creating New Asian Network Framework for Information on Accidents and Troubles at NPPs 10 Sep 2008 Science Council of Japan Urges Stable Supply of Domestic Radioisotopes 10 Sep 2008 JAEA Achieves World's First Successful Demonstration Test of ITER First Wall Shielding Blanket 10 Sep 2008 Capacity Factor Surpasses 70% for First Time in 17 Months 03 Sep 2008 Japan to Support International Cooperation in Nuclear Power - METI Sets Up New Subcommittee 03 Sep 2008 IAEA and Japanese Foreign Minister Co-sponsor "3S" Asian Regional Seminar 03 Sep 2008 Seismic Data Gained from CTBT Network to Be Used to Improve Tsunami Warning System 03 Sep 2008 Thai Energy Minister Visited Japan, Requesting Cooperation in Nuclear Power Introduction 03 Sep 2008 FNCA Held Second Meeting of Discussion Panel on Nuclear Power 03 Sep 2008 JAIF Report Praises Efforts by Utilities after General Inspections 25 Aug 2008 New NPP Inspection System Soon to Be Issued, Applicable to Periodic Inspections Starting Next April 25 Aug 2008 India and Japan Discuss Peaceful Nuclear Coooperation 25 Aug 2008 Japan Signs Agreement with Uzbekistan Relating to Investments 12 Aug 2008 Site Level Integrated Safeguards Approach Applied for First Time Worldwide at JAEA's Tokai R&D Center 12 Aug 2008 Prime Minister Fukuda Reshuffles Cabinet, New Ministers Inaugurated 12 Aug 2008 JNFL Begins Constructing Plant for New-Type Centrifugal Separator 12 Aug 2008 Advisory Committee for Natural Resources and Energy Discusses Energy Policy Direction 12 Aug 2008 Japan's NPP Capacity Factor for July Reaches 63.1% 04 Aug 2008 Japanese Cabinet Approves Plan to Create Low-carbon Society, Emphasizing Nuclear Energy and International Assistance 04 Aug 2008 JNFL Postpones Completion of Reprocessing Plant Construction until November 29 Jul 2008 Prototype Fusion Reactor Proposed by Late 2030's, with One Trillion Yen for Construction 29 Jul 2008 NIRS Reaches Agreement with Taiwan on Charged-Particle Cancer Therapy and Effects of Low-dose Radiation 29 Jul 2008 Mitsui to Explore for Uranium in Uzbekistan 29 Jul 2008 Hitachi Developed Ultrasonic Metal-flaw Detection System for Use in Pipe Maintenance 29 Jul 2008 Council Released Report on Quantitatively Analyzes Nuclear Personnel Supply and Demand in Japan 29 Jul 2008 JAIF Issues Public Comment Supporting New Inspection System 24 Jul 2008 No Damage to NPPs and Nuclear Fuel Facilities as a Result of Iwate Earthquake on July 24 22 Jul 2008 METI Minister Amari Released Comments One Year since Niigata Chuetsu Offshore Earthquake 22 Jul 2008 JAIF Also Released Comments on First Anniversary of Quake: "Share the Lessons Learned to Create a Sense of Safety" 22 Jul 2008 External Inspections of All Kashiwazaki Kariwa NPS Units Soon to Finish: Seismic Reinforcement Work Commencing Successively 22 Jul 2008 NISA to Use Mobile Phone-based E-mail to Distribute Information about Plant Operation Status during Disasters 22 Jul 2008 JNFL Reports on Suspension of Trial Operation of Vitrification Equipment 22 Jul 2008 Uranium Powder Dispersed at GNF-J Yokosuka Plant: Radiation Exposure Very Slight 14 Jul 2008 Cabinet Office Releases Results of Public Opinion Survey on a Low Carbon Society - Nuclear Chosen the Least 14 Jul 2008 METI Taps ANRE Head Mochizuki as Vice-Minister 14 Jul 2008 JAIF Releases Comment on G8 Toyako Summit 14 Jul 2008 G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit Ends - Producing Agreement Deeming Atomic Energy "Indispensable" 09 Jul 2008 JNFL Resumes Vitrification Tests, But Stopped Owing to Problems 09 Jul 2008 JNFL Registers Sales of 290 Billion Yen for Fiscal 2007, But Loses 2.3 Billion Yen in Current Net Income 09 Jul 2008 Capacity Factor at Japan's NPPs in June Improves Slightly to 53.6% 09 Jul 2008 AEC Confirms Important Subjects for Nuclear-related Budget of Next Year 30 Jun 2008 Leaders of Japan and Kazakhstan Sign Joint Statement on Bilateral Cooperation 30 Jun 2008 Toshiba and Kazatomprom Conclude Memorandum on Further Promoting Nuclear Cooperation 30 Jun 2008 IAEA Holds NPP Seismic Safety Workshop in Kashiwazaki, Announcing Goal of Establishing International Seismic Safety Center 30 Jun 2008 JAIF Holds Regular General Meeting in Tokyo 17 Jun 2008 Energy Ministers from Key Countries Meet in Aomori, Moving Nuclear Power to the Fore 17 Jun 2008 METI Minister Holds Separate Bilateral Meetings with Four Countries' Energy Ministers at Aomori G8 Meeting 17 Jun 2008 Prime Minister Fukuda Stresses Importance of Nuclear Power in the Country's International Contributions in Fukuda Vision "Japan as a Low-carbon Society" 17 Jun 2008 IEA Releases Country Report Concerning Japanese Energy Policies 16 Jun 2008 No Damage to NPPs as a Result of Iwate-Miyagi Inland Earthquake 09 Jun 2008 New NISA Working Group to Clarify Ways to Support Nuclear Safety in Countries Newly Introducing Nuclear Power 09 Jun 2008 MEXT Sets Up Commission to Discuss Revision of Nuclear Damage Compensation Law 09 Jun 2008 MHI Announces Plans for Nuclear Business 09 Jun 2008 JNFL Postpones Completion of Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant until July 09 Jun 2008 NPP Capacity Factor for May at 51%, with Shika-2 Soon Back in Commercial Service 03 Jun 2008 U.S.-Japan Nuclear Energy Steering Committee Meets, with Japan Supporting New NPP Construction in United States 03 Jun 2008 Seismic Retrofitting at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa to Withstand 1,000-Gal Acceleration - Clarifying Cause of Ground Acceleration Beyond Assumptions 03 Jun 2008 Progress Made on Disposal of Radioisotopes and Other Radioactive Waste from Research Facilities 03 Jun 2008 Three Japanese Power Utilities to Join Australian Uranium Exploration Project 28 May 2008 Vietnam & Japan Sign Memorandum to Cooperate in Nuclear Power Development, with Private-Sector Exchange Activities to Be Implemented 28 May 2008 Environmental R&D Promotion Project Cites Next-generation LWRs and FBR Development 21 May 2008 Toshiba's President Nishida Announces Management Strategy: 33 NPPs to Be Built by 2015 21 May 2008 Parliamentary Secretary Yamamoto Visited Kazakhstan, Signed Memorandum 21 May 2008 NUMO Begins Publicly Soliciting Applications for TRU Waste Disposal Site: Co-disposal with HLW Possible 21 May 2008 Hokuriku Electric Power Co. Restarted Shika-2 21 May 2008 April Capacity Factor Dips Below 50% for First Time in Five Years 21 May 2008 Former SCJ President Koji Fushimi Dies 14 May 2008 IAEA to Hold Workshop in Kashiwazaki on Seismic Safety of Nuclear Power Plants 07 May 2008 Russo-Japanese Summit: Cooperation on Climate Change Framework 07 May 2008 Global Warming Measures Discussed at Japan-EU Summit, with Pledges of Cooperation on Sectoral Approach 07 May 2008 JAIF Reorganizes into Six Departments 07 May 2008 JAEA Aims to Increase Women Researchers Ratio to 13% 07 May 2008 AESJ Releases Proclamation in Advance of G-8 Summit 30 Apr 2008 J-Power Receives Permit from METI to Install Reactor at Ohma NPS 30 Apr 2008 Hokkaido Electric Power Asks for Prior Understanding for MOX-use Program at Tomari-3 23 Apr 2008 Prime Minister Fukuda Endorses Nuclear Power at JAIF Annual Conference 23 Apr 2008 MHI and AREVA to Join Hands in Nuclear Fuel Production 23 Apr 2008 Group of Private-sector Experts Makes Proposals on Nonproliferation 23 Apr 2008 French and Japanese Leaders Agree on Nuclear Cooperation for Peaceful Use 23 Apr 2008 JAIF Survey Shows that the World's Nuclear Capacity Continues to Grow 16 Apr 2008 [FOCUS] Japan, Left Behind in the Worldwide Nuclear Renaissance Trend, Needs to Carry Out Patient Discussions 16 Apr 2008 Reactor Installation at Ohma NPS May Be Approved This Month 16 Apr 2008 MHI to Supply PWR Technology to China 16 Apr 2008 G20 Chairmen's Summary Includes Mention of Both Sides of the Debate on Inclusion of Nuclear Energy 16 Apr 2008 Japanese Market for Radiation Applications Reaches $40 Billion 16 Apr 2008 Applications to Be Publicly Solicited for TRU Disposal Site 16 Apr 2008 New Center Launched as Core Organization for Development of Next-generation LWRs 09 Apr 2008 METI Releases Electricity Supply Plan for FY2008 09 Apr 2008 Capacity Factor for Japan's NPPs in FY2007 Stood at Just 60.7% 09 Apr 2008 NFI to Produce MOX Fuel for Takahama NPS 09 Apr 2008 [News In Brief] NSC Updates Web Site 02 Apr 2008 Outlook for 2030 Sets Nuclear Share of Generated Electricity at Around 50% 02 Apr 2008 Foreign Countries Look to Japan for Nuclear Personnel Training 02 Apr 2008 Toshiba to Cooperate with Russia 02 Apr 2008 [News In Brief] STP to Adopt Toshiba's ABWR in Its NPP Expansion 26 Mar 2008 Construction of Ohma NPS to Start in May 26 Mar 2008 MHI to Enter European NPP Market 26 Mar 2008 Operation to Resume at Shika-2 Shortly 26 Mar 2008 Interim Report Released on Developing Human Resources with International Experience 26 Mar 2008 Multiple Orders for Nuclear Fusion Materials and Equipment at JT-60 Plasma Test Facility 19 Mar 2008 Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant: 395 Tons to Be Reprocessed in FY2008 19 Mar 2008 Toshiba Sets Up a Company in U.S. to Boost Orders for PWRs and BWRs 19 Mar 2008 [News In Brief]JANTI Select Fujie as the New President 12 Mar 2008 JAIF Survey: Nuclear-related Sales by Industry Up 18% 12 Mar 2008 Capacity Factor for Japan's NPPs in February Stays Low at 56% 12 Mar 2008 Governor Accepts Implementation of MOX-use Program at Hamaoka-4 12 Mar 2008 Oil-fired Now Three Times More Expensive than Nuclear Power 12 Mar 2008 U.S. NRC Begins Screening Process for MHI's US-APWR 12 Mar 2008 Advanced Nuclear Power to Contribute 12% CO2 Reduction 12 Mar 2008 JNFL to Construct a Fabrication Plant for Advanced Centrifuge in FY2008 05 Mar 2008 Symposium Builds Shared International Awareness of Earthquakes 05 Mar 2008 Outline of Upcoming JAIF Annual Conference Takes Shape 05 Mar 2008 Toshiba Steps Up R&D on Small Fast Reactors 05 Mar 2008 IAEA Report Praises High Quality and Transparency of Work at Kashiwazaki Kariwa 05 Mar 2008 Three-month Delay in Completion of Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant 05 Mar 2008 Kansai Electric Power to Establish Electron Irradiation Company 05 Mar 2008 JANTI Designated as Agency to Certify NPP Chief Operators 05 Mar 2008 [News In Brief] Council to Conduct Broad Discussions toward Realization of a Low-carbon Society 27 Feb 2008 ATR Fugen to Be Dismantled in Two Dacades 27 Feb 2008 MEXT to Launch National Registration System of Radiation Sources 27 Feb 2008 Bidding Starts for Rokkasho Nuclear Fusion Facility 20 Feb 2008 Inspections Soon to be Finalized at All Kashiwazaki Kariwa Reactors 20 Feb 2008 Safety Confirmation Complete at FBR Monju 20 Feb 2008 NIRS Develops World's First Open-type PET Device 20 Feb 2008 TV was Main Source of Information about the Niigata Chuetsu Offshore Earthquake for 97% in Tokyo Metropolitan Area 13 Feb 2008 Power Consumption Marks Record Highs on Nationwide Cold Wave 13 Feb 2008 IAEA Team Reasserts Safety of Kashiwazaki Kariwa NPS 13 Feb 2008 France, U.S. and Japan to Work Together on FBRs 13 Feb 2008 ITER Coil Performance to Be Tested in Japan 13 Feb 2008 MHI Receives Order for Two Turbine Generators for Chinese NPP 06 Feb 2008 Students Throng to Nuclear Industry Recruiting Fair Sponsored by JAIF 06 Feb 2008 [News In Brief] Kansai Electric Power's Mori Selected as Next FEPC Chairman 06 Feb 2008 [News In Brief] Omiya to Become MHI President 06 Feb 2008 Kansai Electric Resumes MOX-use Program 30 Jan 2008 MHI Begins Production and Marketing of Advanced Cancer Radiotherapy Machine 30 Jan 2008 JAEA Begins Bidding on Major Remodelling of JT-60 30 Jan 2008 JAIF Executives Visit JAEA Underground Lab in Mizunami 30 Jan 2008 [News In Brief] TEPCO Names Masataka Shimizu as Next President 23 Jan 2008 IAEA Team to Visit Japan Again to Investigate NPP Earthquake Damage 23 Jan 2008 Nuclear Power "Indispensable" as a Grobal Warming Countermeasure 23 Jan 2008 China and Japan Signed Agreement to Cooperate on Magnetic Fusion Research 16 Jan 2008 Capacity Factor at Japan's NPPs Falls to 59% in December 16 Jan 2008 MHI Submits Application to NRC for US-APWR Design Certificate 16 Jan 2008 Monju to Resume Operations by Year-end 16 Jan 2008 Uranium Reconversion Commissioned to Kazakhstan 16 Jan 2008 JNFL Confident of Performance of New Centrifuge Separator 16 Jan 2008 Nuclear-related Budget for FY2008 Almost the Same as Current Fiscal Year