NRA doubles its staff to ca.1,000

March 3, 2014

NRA welcomes new staff following merger

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140303_24.html 

Japan's nuclear regulator has acquired hundreds of employees, including nuclear engineers, by absorbing an institution engaged in nuclear safety.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority held a ceremony on Monday to welcome more than 380 administrative officials and engineers from the Japan Nuclear Energy Safety Organization.

The organization was merged into the NRA on Saturday. JNES was an independent corporation that administered the inspection of nuclear power plants and the study of nuclear safety.

NRA Chairman Shunichi Tanaka said at the ceremony that there are high expectations for the engineers. He called on them to help the NRA become an organization that is trusted by the nation.

With the intake, the NRA has doubled its staff to about 1,000. The integration is expected to help the Authority strengthen its capabilities to conduct safety assessments of nuclear power plants.

The NRA also plans to set up a new department to nurture employee expertise.

Mar. 3, 2014 - Updated 08:47 UTC