30 June, 2020
“Existing NPPs to Enter Age of 80-Year Operations” JAIF Annual Survey Says
Each year, the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum, Inc. (JAIF) presents a survey titled “World Nuclear Power Plants.” This year's survey is compiled from data as of January 1, 2020 based on replies to questionnaires sent to electric power companies and nuclear-related organizations around the world.
16 June, 2020
Toshiba ESS and Yokohama National University Boost Joint Research to Upgrade Heavy-Ion Cancer Therapy, Using Kanagawa Prefectural Facility
Three Japanese institutions—Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (Toshiba ESS), Yokohama National University (YNU) and the Kanagawa Prefectural Hospital Organization—will accelerate joint research toward the upgrade of apparatus using heavy particle beams for cancer therapy.
8 June, 2020
NRA Grants Permission to Make Changes to Reactor Installation at HTTR under New Regulatory Standards
At a meeting on June 3, the Nuclear Regulation Authority of Japan (NRA) finalized a review report for the High-Temperature Engineering Test Reactor (HTTR), owned by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), saying that it was compatible with the new regulatory standards. The reactor, with a thermal output of 30MW, is situated in Oarai Town, Ibaraki Prefecture. The NRA then issued the Agency its approval to make changes to the reactor installation (basic design approval).
22 May, 2020
Sendai-2 Starts Periodic Inspection, with Due Date Imminent to Install Specific Safety Facilities
Since March of this year, a periodic inspection has been underway at the Sendai-1 (PWR, 890 MW), owned and operated by the Kyushu Electric Power Co.. On May 20, the company began a similar inspection of its Sendai-2 (PWR, 890 MW), the period for which was moved up because of the approaching deadline for the installation of facilities—termed specific safety facilities—to respond to specific severe accidents, including terrorist attacks, and which are mandated under the new regulatory standards for Japan’s nuclear power plants (NPPs).
15 May, 2020
NRA Issues Draft Review Report for Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant
At a regular meeting on May 13, the Nuclear Regulation Authority of Japan (NRA) issued a draft review report for the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant, owned by Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd. (JNFL), saying that the facility was compatible with the new regulatory standards. The report will be finalized after it is referred to the Japan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and made open to the public for comments.
30 April, 2020
Construction Begins of Next Generation Synchrotron Radiation Facility at Tohoku University, to Be Used for Fuel Cells and Pharmaceuticals
On April 22, a groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Aobayama Campus of Tohoku University in Sendai City (Miyagi Prefecture) for the main building to serve as the core of a next-generation synchrotron radiation facility.
27 April, 2020
Superconducting-Coil Tokamak Plasma Test Device (JT-60SA) Installed at Naka Fusion Institute, with Plasma Generation to Begin in Autumn
On April 22, the assembly was completed of the JT-60SA, a superconducting-coil tokamak plasma test device, at the Naka Fusion Institute in Naka City, Ibaraki Prefecture. The facility is part of the National Institute for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST).
17 April, 2020
Japan’s CO2 Emissions Fall 4.6% in FY18, Thanks in Part to Restart of NPPs
On April 14, Japan’s Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (ANRE) released the results of its survey of energy supply and demand in the country for FY18 (ended March 31, 2019). Final energy consumption was 13,124PJ, down 2.7% from the previous year. Meanwhile, final energy consumption in the household sector fell 7.8% over the same period, thanks to a warm winter.
27 March, 2020
NRA Issues Draft Review Report for JAEA’s HTTR
At a regular meeting on March 25, the Nuclear Regulation Authority of Japan (NRA) issued a draft review report for the High-Temperature Engineering Test Reactor (HTTR), owned by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), saying that it was effectively compatible with the new regulatory standards. The reactor, with a thermal output of 30MW, is situated in Oarai Town (Ibaraki Prefecture).
23 March, 2020
Comments on the Resumption of Full Operation of the JR Joban Line
On Saturday, March 14, trains and stations on the JR Joban Line returned to full operation some nine years after the giant earthquake of March 11, 2011, and the subsequent accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (NPS). Service was resumed on final suspended portion, measuring 20.8 km, including the stations of Tomioka and Yonomori (both in Tomioka Town), Ono (Okuma Town), Futaba (Futaba Town), and Namie (Namie Town). Evacuation orders for the areas around those stations had been previously lifted.
16 March, 2020
Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field Opens in Namie Town, with Hydrogen to Be Used in Tokyo Olympics
On March 7, the opening ceremony was held of the Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field (FH2R), located in Namie Town, Fukushima Prefecture. Construction was begun in 2018 by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (Toshiba ESS), the Tohoku Electric Power Co., and Iwatani Corporation.
13 March, 2020
Cancellation of the 53rd JAIF Annual Conference
Much to our regret JAIF has cancelled the 53rd Annual Conference (AC), originally scheduled for April 20-21 in Tokyo, to avoid any potential risks to public health and safety due to the widespread transmission of COVID-19 on a global scale.
27 February, 2020
Japan Atomic Energy Commission Exchanges Views with IAEA Director General Grossi during His Japan Visit
At its regular meeting on February 25, the Japan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) invited Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to exchange views.
26 February, 2020
JN-HRD Net Reports Activities, Cites Gender Balance Improvement
On February 12, the Japan Nuclear Human Resource Development Network (JN-HRD Net) held a wide-ranging reporting session in Tokyo. JAIF Chairman Akio Takahashi chairs that group’s operating committee.
