Regarding Agenda Item 1, “the direction of considerations toward a post-ANEC framework,” Masui referred to the establishment of a “control tower function” proposed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and introduced the past activities of the Nuclear Human Resource Development Network. The network, launched in November 2010 through collaboration among industry, government, and academia, currently operates as a voluntary framework comprising 84 participating organizations, with Masui serving as head of its steering committee.
He also explained that, toward strengthening the future framework, preparations for forming a core team are progressing, with full-scale operations scheduled to begin in April. Emphasizing that securing human resources is a critical issue for maximizing the use of nuclear energy, he expressed his intention to advance institutional design and mechanisms to concretize the control tower function, while underscoring the importance of collaboration among relevant organizations.
According to materials presented by MEXT at the committee meeting, the current ANEC program covers a seven-year period from FY2020 to FY2026. For the post-ANEC initiative, however, the government aims to design a system with a longer implementation period (e.g., 10 years). In addition, the introduction of indirect costs—where a certain percentage of competitive research funding is allocated to research institutions to cover administrative and operational expenses necessary for conducting research—is under consideration to ensure stable program management.
It was also noted that foundational elements for human resource development, such as open lecture content and opportunities for experiments and practical training utilizing large-scale research facilities, need to be continuously maintained and expanded. Furthermore, in order to broaden the talent pool, the discussion highlighted the need to strengthen initiatives such as developing globally competent professionals with project management capabilities and providing educational opportunities to students from other fields.
In addition, regarding the selection process for training programs, a fundamental review is under consideration. Instead of the current open-call system, the proposed approach would involve formulating educational programs in advance—based on consolidated input from organizations such as the Atomic Energy Society of Japan—and then selecting institutions to implement them. This shift is expected to enhance coordination among relevant organizations and strengthen secretariat functions.
On Agenda Item 2, “the future policy direction for nuclear science and technology,” Masui addressed discussions surrounding the nuclear damage compensation system. As investment considerations for next-generation innovative reactors progress, he noted that the current system could pose obstacles to financing and investment decisions. He emphasized that “discussions should not be constrained by past frameworks, and preliminary reviews should be conducted with sufficient time for careful consideration.”
