IAEA allowed to check Japanese facilities

January 15, 2014

Japan to accept IAEA nuclear security assessment

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140116_04.html 

Japan's nuclear watchdog says it will allow a team from the International Atomic Energy Agency to assess security at the country's nuclear facilities.

The decision came at a regular meeting of the Nuclear Regulation Authority on Wednesday. It is the first time the NRA has agreed to such a move.

NRA member Kenzo Oshima said the Authority will listen to opinions from abroad to reinforce Japan's security measures and identify points for improvement.

The decision comes amid growing global concerns about nuclear security, preparedness against terrorist attacks on nuclear facilities, and the theft of nuclear material.

Those concerns increased after the September 11th 2001 attacks in the United States and the accident at Fukushima Daiichi plant in March 2011.

The US and Britain are among several countries that have accepted IAEA assessments. The IAEA team may visit Japan from late this year or in early 2015.

Experts have pointed to weaknesses in identification checks at Japanese nuclear plants. The NRA is studying how to improve the security arrangements.