Atomic Energy Commission : What change?

December 5, 2013

Gov't to retain nuclear power promotion organization

http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20131205p2a00m0na011000c.html

The government is likely to retain an organization to promote atomic energy despite calls to end Japan's reliance on nuclear power following the outbreak of the Fukushima nuclear crisis in 2011.

A government panel of experts released a report on Dec. 5, recommending either that the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) of the Cabinet Office be retained after its organization is downscaled or that a new body to replace the AEC be set up.

Specifically, the report states that the reformed AEC or a new organization should work on the peaceful use of atomic power and nuclear non-proliferation as well as the disposal of radioactive waste including the nuclear fuel cycle project -- in which spent nuclear fuel is processed and reused. The AEC has so far played these roles.

Established in 1956 as the "command post" of Japan's nuclear energy policy, the AEC has drawn up a framework for the country's nuclear energy policy almost every five years, making calls to put fast-breeder reactors into practical use and to reprocess spent nuclear fuel.

The 2005 framework calls for an increase in the ratio of nuclear power to the total electric power consumed in Japan to 30 to 40 percent and to put fast-breeder reactors into practical use in 2050.

Since the March 2011 outbreak of the crisis at the tsunami-hit Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant, however, panel members have discussed how to reform the AEC, including its abolition.

The panel has decided to abolish the atomic policy framework and instead recommended that the basic direction of Japan's nuclear policy be shown in the basic energy policy that the government is currently revising.

However, a majority of experts on the panel call for the retention of a nuclear energy promotion organization because the AEC has played an important role in Japan's atomic energy policy.

December 05, 2013(Mainichi Japan)

Role of Atomic Energy Commission to be changed

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20131205_31.html

An expert panel reviewing the Japanese government's Atomic Energy Commission is set to recommend that it redefine its role in promoting the use of nuclear energy.

The 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster prompted the review of the role played by the commission for more than 50 years. The panel agreed this year that the commission should no longer set the country's nuclear policy.

The panel on Thursday compiled a draft set of recommendations, including that the number of commissioners be cut from the current 5 to 3.

The draft says that to ensure the commission's neutrality, its secretariat should not accept employees on loan from power utilities or nuclear plant makers. It recommends using personnel from universities and research institutes.

It also says the commission should handle limited tasks that require cross-ministry efforts, such as disposal of radioactive waste.

It also recommends that the commission confirm that nuclear technology is used only for peaceful purposes such as power generation and research.

The panel is expected to finalize its recommendations next Tuesday.