Nuclear fuel cycle in Japan

Journal Article · Thu Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978 · Bull. At. Sci.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00963402.1978.11458516· OSTI ID:7036763

Kawakami, K

The U.S. and Japan reached agreement in 1977 on the reprocessing of spent nuclear reactor fuel of U.S. origin at a facility in Japan. Under the agreement, a plant at Tokai-mura will process up to 99 tons of spent fuel, extracting plutonium from the irradiated fuel assemblies of a demonstration reactor and power reactors. The extracted Pu will be stored for an initial period of two years, rather than converted to reactor fuel. Japan agreed to postponing conversion because it shares with the United States the view ''that Pu poses a serious proliferation danger, that its recycling in light water reactors is not ready at present for commercial use, and that its premature commercialization should be avoided.'' Japan also made concessions on conducting studies on co-processing of U and Pu. The fundamental problem remains unresolved. The result of the negotiations indicates some flexibility on the part of the U.S. This could also be expected when the deliberations in the U.S. Congress on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1978 (export control legislation) are studied. The legislation was originally intended for nothing but export control, but the White House requested some modification to leave room for international negotiations. The clause that would have banned exports immediately or after a certain period of time was taken out, and the final bill did not demand a prior pledge not to engage in reprocessing or in uranium enrichment. The U.S. is beginning to take into consideration the differing circumstances and policies of other countries. The U.S., in giving first priority to nuclear non-proliferation, is trying to curb Pu recycling as much as possible, whereas other countries regard Pu recycling as one key to future energy supplies.

• Research Organization: Kangawa Univ., Yokohama, Japan
• OSTI ID: 7036763
• Journal Information: Bull. At. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Bull. At. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 34:6; ISSN BASIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

050800 -- Nuclear Fuels-- Spent Fuels Reprocessing
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210802 -- Nuclear Power Plants-- Economics-- Fuel Cycle
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
ASIA
DECISION MAKING
ENERGY SOURCES
EVALUATION
FOREIGN POLICY
FUEL CYCLE
FUEL REPROCESSING PLANTS
FUELS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
IMPLEMENTATION
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
JAPAN
LEGISLATION
MANAGEMENT
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR FUELS
NUCLEAR MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
PLUTONIUM RECYCLE
PROLIFERATION
REACTOR MATERIALS
REPROCESSING
RISK ASSESSMENT
SAFEGUARDS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
USA