Policy draft backs nuclear

Tuesday, 20 February 2007 The final draft of amendments to Japan's basic energy plan is under discussion. It reaffirms the country's commitment to nuclear fuel recycling and the use of advanced reactors in decades to come.

The document was reportedly distributed at a meeting of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's research panel today. The cabinet will discuss the issues before approving a final text. Under the updated basic plan, Japan would continue to rely on nuclear-generated electricity while engaging more actively in diplomacy to ensure supplies of uranium and fossil fuel. Japan imports about 80% of its energy resources, using them to fuel the world's second-biggest economy.

In addition to continuing support for nuclear, policies would encourage more the use of renewable energies like solar, biomass and the blending of ethanol in vehicle fuels. Fuel cell research would be promoted, in parallel with Japanese nuclear reasearch aims to produce hydrogen using heat from very high temperature nuclear reactors.

Japan currently has 55 nuclear power reactors in operation, which provide 47,700 MWe for the country, 30% of supply. The near-future commercial operation of JNFL's Rokkasho reprocessing plant and the forthcoming mixed-oxide (MOX) nuclear fuel fabrication plant will allow Japan to recycle 32,000 tonnes of nuclear fuel to about 2050 while expanding its nuclear fleet to provide 40% of supply without a corresponding increas uranium imports.

Approval has been given for five reactors to employ MOX fuel. Japanese officials expect to see 18 reactors fuelled with MOX by 2011.

In August 2006, then Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi signed an agreement with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev to substantially increase the uranium supply to Japan to 2000 tonnes, about 25% of demand. Japan also buys about 25% of Australia's uranium output.

Further information

JNFL

WNN: First Japanese mixed oxide powder produced