Long-Term Program for Research, Development and Utilization of Nuclear Energy (Unofficial Translation) November 2000 Atomic Energy Commission, Japan CONTENTS Introduction................................................................................ 1 Part I : The Current Status of Research, Development and Utilization of Nuclear Energy, and Future Plans ......... 4 Chapter 1: Science and Technology in the 20th Century.............................................................. 4 Chapter 2: The Advance of Nuclear Science and Technology ..................................................... 5 Chapter 3: The Current Situation of Research, Development and Utilization of Nuclear Energy in Japan and the Future Prospects ..................................................... 8 1. Nuclear Power Generation.................................................................................................. 8 1-1. The Climate Surrounding Nuclear Power Generation ................................................ 8 1-2. Considerations in Securing Energy Supply................................................................. 9 1-3. Characteristics of Nuclear Power Generation and Tasks.......................................... 13 1-4. Comparative Importance of Nuclear Power Generation in Japan’s Energy Supply............................................................................................................ 15 2. Nuclear Fuel Cycle ...........................................................................................................16 2-1. Current Status of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle.................................................................. 16 2-2. Significance of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle for Japan..................................................... 17 3. Use of Radiation ...............................................................................................................18 4. Nuclear Science and Technology .....................................................................................19 Chapter 4: Promoting a New Nuclear Power Policy................................................................... 20 1. General Public, Society and Nuclear Power ....................................................................20 1-1. Nuclear Safety and Disaster Prevention .................................................................... 21 1-2. Building Public Trust................................................................................................. 22 1-3. Coexistence with Local Siting Communities ............................................................ 23 2. International Community and Nuclear Power..................................................................24 2-1. Making Japan’s Policy and System of Adherence to the Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy Clear to the Rest of the World......................................................... 24 2-2. Promotion of Activities to Gain International Understanding on Japan’s Plutonium Use Policy ................................................................................................ 25 Chapter 5: Toward the 21st Century............................................................................................ 25 i Part II : Future Prospects for Research, Development and Utilization of Nuclear Energy ................................... 28 Chapter 1: Major Considerations in Research, Development and Utilization of Nuclear Energy .......................................................................................................... 28 Chapter 2: Harmony between People, Society and Nuclear Energy .......................................... 30 1. Securing of Safety and Prevention of Disasters ...............................................................30 2. Disclosure and Offer of Information ................................................................................31 3. Education on Nuclear Energy...........................................................................................32 4. Coexistence with Local Siting Communities ...................................................................32 Chapter 3: Nuclear Power Generation and the Nuclear Fuel Cycle ........................................... 33 1. Basic Policy.......................................................................................................................33 2. Steady Development of Nuclear Power Generation ........................................................34 3. Nuclear Fuel Cycle Projects .............................................................................................35 3-1. Securing of Natural Uranium..................................................................................... 35 3-2. Uranium Enrichment.................................................................................................. 35 3-3. MOX Fuel Utilization in Light Water Reactors........................................................ 36 3-4. Reprocessing of Spent Fuel from Light Water Reactors........................................... 37 3-5. Intermediate Spent Fuel Storage................................................................................ 38 4. Treatment/Conditioning and Disposal of Radioactive Waste..........................................39 4-1. Commitment to Waste Disposal................................................................................ 39 4-2. Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities .................................................................... 42 4-3. Reduction of Waste Generation and Promotion of its Effective Use ....................... 42 5. Preferred Course and Future Prospects for Research and Development of FBR Cycle Technology.............................................................................................................42 5-1. Importance of FBR Cycle Technology...................................................................... 42 5-2. Direction of Research and Development Efforts for FBR Cycle Technology ......... 43 5-3. Future Deployment of Research and Development of FBR Cycle Technology ...... 44 Chapter 4: Diversified Deployments of Nuclear Science and Technology................................ 46 1. Basic Policy.......................................................................................................................46 2. Promotion of a Variety of Advanced Research and Development Programs .................46 3. Ways to Promote Research and Development .................................................................47 3-1. Establishment of Research Environment................................................................... 47 ii 3-2. Evaluation of Research .............................................................................................. 48 Chapter 5: Utilization of Radiation Contributing to People's Lives ........................................... 49 1. Basic Policy.......................................................................................................................49 2. Contributions to People's Lives ........................................................................................49 3. Effect of Radiation on Living Bodies and Radiation Protection......................................50 4. Establishment of Environment to Utilize Radiation ........................................................50 Chapter 6: Harmony between International Society and Nuclear Energy.................................. 51 1. Basic Policy.......................................................................................................................51 2. The International Issue of Nuclear Non-Proliferation......................................................51 3. International Cooperation in Nuclear Safety and R&D ...................................................53 4. Approach to Regional Issues ............................................................................................54 Chapter 7: Foundation to Promote Research, Development and Utilization of Nuclear Energy .......................................................................................................... 55 1. Development of Human Resources..................................................................................55 2. Increase in Competitiveness and International Development of Nuclear Equipment Supply Industry ..............................................................................................56 Reference source ............................................................................................................58 Glossary ......................................................................................................................68 iii Introduction (The Atomic Energy Commission of Japan and the Long-Term Program) In the middle of the 1950s, shortly after it experienced the tragedy of the atomic bombings, Japan launched into the research, development and use of nuclear energy with the sole aim of harnessing it for peaceful purposes. Since then, and to this day, the nation has carried on its nuclear research and development solely toward peaceful use in accordance with the Atomic Energy Basic Law. The Atomic Energy Commission of Japan (AEC), which was set up under the Atomic Energy Basic Law, is charged with the important tasks of planning, deliberations, and decision-making necessary to secure peaceful utilization of nuclear energy and to ensure that Japan’s research, development and use of nuclear energy are moved ahead in a coherent