Nuclear exports get a boost in Japan

Thursday, 20 August 2009

Five companies have been selected for support under a Japanese scheme to support high-tech heavy nuclear manufacturing.

 

A top nuclear export: this section of a reactor pressure vessel was made by Japan Steel Works

Nuclear energy would grow in response to climate change and the need for a stable energy supply, the Japanese government said today in its announcement, explaining that it would be acting to financially support research and development of major nuclear equipment. This strategic move is meant to further strengthen Japan's national capabilities in nuclear energy, where it is already a leader.

 

The Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry picked just five projects for support after a public invitation that ran for 20 days up to the start of July. It did not detail exactly how it would support the projects, but announced the lucky companies and their project areas:

• Japan Steel Works for ultra-large forging manufacturing
• Okano Valve Co for development of main steam safety valves
• Ebara Corporation for development of emergency core cooling system pumps
• Ishikawajima Heavy Industries for the development of ultra-large steam generators
• Kobe Steel for 3-D technology for forging atypical large steel ingots

Japan Steel Works is already in the process of tripling its capacity for supplying reactor main components to 12 sets per year by 2012.