Release
January 29, 2016

Monthly Press Conference

Today, President Kenji Kudo held a monthly press conference in Aomori City, and talked about "Status of response to the New Regulatory Requirements", "Company-wide Emergency Drill" and "Debate about the Nuclear Fuel Cycle business in Intensified Competition".

Status of Response to the New Regulatory Requirements

A review meeting on seismic safety was held on January 15. JNFL explained that regarding the activity of the fault on the outer edge of the continental shelf, it has conducted a detailed joint survey with Tohoku Electric Power Company, Tokyo Electric Power Company and Recyclable-Fuel Storage Company, which involved sonic prospecting and marine boring surveys. After explaining the result that consideration for the fault's activity from a seismic design standpoint was unnecessary, JNFL received reviewers' understanding in general.

JNFL have continued to receive general understanding from reviewers following the reviews of "seismic ground motions without specifying hypocenters" (December 21) and "seismic ground motions specifying hypocenters" (December 25) of the Deto West Fault held last month. We understand that the conditions for reviewing the setting of design-basis seismic ground motion will be met when the summary of the active faults scheduled to be explained in the future are concluded.

Regarding the assessment of volcanoes, JNFL will continue responding to items regarding monitoring and assessment policies.

At the review meeting held at the end of last month, regarding the review of the Reprocessing Plant, a reviewer pointed out the need to reorganize the overall perspective, taking into account the type of accidents that will occur at what frequency during the occurrence of a natural phenomenon exceeding design conditions. JNFL will explain this at the review meeting once preparations have been made.

Company-wide Emergency Drill

A company-wide emergency drill is scheduled on February 16. This drill has been held every year in mid-winter since FY2012. This will be the 4th drill to be conducted.

On the day, the drill will simulate various accidents occurring simultaneously at JNFL's four facilities – Reprocessing Plant, High-Level Radioactive Waste Storage Center, Uranium Enrichment Plant and Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Center.

In addition to drills focusing on restoration from accidents and bringing the situation under control, coordination between divisions and rapid company-wide response will be assessed comprehensively.

Assuming the loss of offsite power, JNFL has repeatedly conducted power supply training with power supply trucks. By continuing to repeat various drills assuming a variety of situations, we ensure our responses to emergencies.

Debate about the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Business in Intensified Competition

As a result of discussions being held from last year at the Expert Working Group on the Development of Nuclear Business Environment, JNFL believes that the nuclear fuel cycle business will continue with the new corporation commissioning business operations.

JNFL will conduct its business operation in solidarity with the local community, and actively make the effort to achieve further management efficiency and strengthening governance.

One final word. Making a full commitment to complying with the New Regulatory Requirements is still the biggest business challenge carried on from last year. However, JNFL also believes that protecting the safety of existing facilities will also prove to be a vital foundation in further strengthening safety and security. We would like to make a great leap forward this year with all the power we can muster, in our mission to establish a nuclear fuel cycle.