JAPAN ATOMIC INDUSTRIAL FORUM, INC.

16 October, 2020 Kaoru Ohno

Government’s Strategic Policy Committee Starts Deliberations toward Revision of Strategic Energy Plan

On October 13, the Strategic Policy Committee, under the Advisory Committee for Natural Resources and Energy (chaired by Takashi Shiraishi, Chancellor of the Prefectural University of Kumamoto), launched deliberations toward issuance of the next Strategic Energy Plan.

The current Strategic Energy Plan, Japan’s fifth, was decided upon by the Cabinet in July 2018. It presents a goal for an energy mix to 2030—namely, the steady realization of an energy mix with a nuclear energy component of 20-22% and a renewable component of 22-24%—along with related policies to 2050, and goes on to discuss the challenges in energy transitions and decarbonization technologies. In an address at the start of the recent meeting, Hiroshi Kajiyama, head of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) noted that the legal deadline of 2021 for reviewing the strategic plan was approaching, adding that next year would also mark in achieving the goal of “3E+S” (the three E’s of energy security, enhanced economic efficiency and environmental compatibility, along with the S ...more

16 October, 2020 Kaoru Ohno

Deliberations Begin on Sixth Strategic Energy Plan

On October 13, the Strategic Policy Committee, part of the national government’s Advisory Committee for Natural Resources and Energy, held its 32nd meeting, at which it launched deliberations toward the revision of the Strategic Energy Plan. At the meeting, committee members successively voiced their important views of the desirable state and status of Japan’s energy. To realize a carbon-free society and achieve a stable supply of energy by 2050—while at the same time ensuring economic efficiency—nuclear power, together with renewable energies, will be an essential power source. Through future deliberations, it is hoped that the active utilization of nuclear power will be clearly positioned in the next Strategic Energy Plan. We in the Japanese nuclear industry will endeavor to allev...more

13 October, 2020 Kaoru Ohno

NUMO Accepts Suttsu’s Application for Literature Survey in Selecting HLW Final Disposal Site—First Since Release of Map of Scientific Features

On October 9, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization of Japan (NUMO) accepted an application from Suttsu Town in Hokkaido to undergo a literature survey as part of the process of selecting a high-level radioactive waste (HLW) final disposal site.

The literature survey is the first of three stages provided in the Designated Radioactive Waste Final Disposal Act, as follows: (1) a literature survey (lasting about two years), (2) a preliminary investigation (about four years), and (3) a detailed investigation (about fourteen years). The survey will consist of desk research based on specific literature and data on the area, including geological maps and mineral resource maps. No actual on-site work (boring, etc.) will be involved. Also, before the next stage (the preliminary investigation) commences, opinions will be solicited anew from the governor and the heads of relevant municipalities. If any of them object, the process will end. Toyo Town in Kochi Prefecture had applied for a literature survey as far back as 2007, but sho...more

12 October, 2020 Noriyuki Ishii

Nuclear Power Plant and Reactor Exporters’ Principles of Conduct (NuPoC)

Desiring to be of help to the Japanese nuclear industry in expanding its business overseas, we, the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum (JAIF), carry out operations aimed at furthering such expansion. We have recently exchanged information with manufacturers supporting the NuPoC and we share that information below. On the same matter, a presentation was made to our member companies at the members forum on March 8, 2016. Information from Toshiba ESS, Hitachi GE, MHI The Nuclear Power Plant and Reactor Exporters’ Principles of Conduct (NuPoC) are a code of conduct for the nuclear industry. They were born from activities to develop principles of self-management to guide the industry’s activities regarding exports of nuclear power plants. The Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (Tos...more