NRA approves Govt's decision to scrap Monju

December 28, 2016

Nuclear watchdog approves scrapping Monju reactor

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20161228_19/

Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority has approved the government's decision to scrap the Monju prototype fast-breeder nuclear reactor.

The education, science and technology ministry briefed the NRA on Wednesday about the government's decision last week about the troubled reactor in Fukui Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast.

NRA Chairman Shunichi Tanaka said the decision is in line with the recommendation it made in November last year.

In it, the NRA urged an overhaul of a research and development project involving the reactor. It said scrapping the reactor would be an option unless a new operator were found for it.

The ministry also told the NRA on Wednesday that it will draw up a basic plan for decommissioning the reactor by next April.

It added that to eliminate possible safety risks soon, it will instruct reactor operator Japan Atomic Energy Agency to remove nuclear fuel from the reactor in about 5 and half years.

Tanaka asked the ministry to oversee the decommissioning process to ensure safety. He said the NRA will study whether relevant laws should be amended to step up regulation. He added that it may also set up an expert team to monitor the process.