Today, President Kenji Kudo held a monthly press conference in Aomori City and talked about "Status of response to the New Regulatory Requirements," "Conclusion of consignment agreement with the Nuclear Reprocessing Organization of Japan,” "Nuclear Maintenance Business Opportunity Fair," and “Lectures on radiation.”

Status of response to the New Regulatory Requirements

With regard to the Uranium Enrichment Plant and the Vitrified Waste Storage Center, JNFL completed its briefing process in the review meeting. The amendment statement will be submitted as soon as it is prepared.

On November 18, Commissioner Satoru Tanaka and other Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) members conducted a field survey on the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant and the MOX Fuel Fabrication Plant. Not only did they observe such severe accident response facilities as the new emergency headquarters and the planned reservoir construction site, but they also reviewed JNFL’s initial response drills. These drills are geared toward checking access routes to carry out post-earthquake countermeasures on the site for severe accidents.

A review meeting was held on November 21 regarding the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant. JNFL explained both the results of its re-evaluation of the design-basis on external fire, and its concerted severe accident response arrangements with the MOX Fuel Fabrication Plant.

Both the review meeting for the Reprocessing Plant and the MOX Fuel Fabrication Plant were held together. AS with the case of Reprocessing Plant JNFL briefed about MOX Fuel Fabrication Plant’s results of re-evaluation of the design-basis on external fire and responses toward previously pointed out issues.

JNFL will continue to repeat drills simulating many different situations, thereby addressing troubles in a reliable manner.

The remaining items that need to be briefed in review meetings, in regards to both the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant and the MOX Fuel Fabrication Plant, are “how to deal with major damage” “off-site release suppression” in the event of severe accidents, and responses to previously pointed out issues. Plans are underway to explain these matters at review meetings and hearings as soon as JNFL completes preparations.

Likewise, the amendment statement on Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant will be submitted as soon as JNFL finishes preparing the document.

With regard to site foundations and earthquakes, in the November 18 review meeting, JNFL briefed about the stability analysis of the Vitrified Waste Storage Center’s base foundation. Reviewers showed a general understanding that JNFL is making appropriate considerations. 

The remaining tasks are to respond to past comments on the monitoring of volcanic activities, which JNFL explained in the November 11 review meeting, and base foundation stability analyses concerning the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant and MOX Fuel Fabrication Plant.

Reviews on each of the facilities have neared its final stage. JNFL will continue to make all-out efforts.

Conclusion of consignment agreement with the Nuclear Reprocessing Organization of Japan

On November 15, JNFL concluded an agreement with the Nuclear Reprocessing Organization of Japan concerning reprocessing and waste management operations.

This arrangement will be accepted with sincerity. With cultivated experience and specialized knowledge, JNFL will listen to the feedback from local communities, who have supported us over the years, and make every effort to establish the Nuclear Fuel Cycle program on the premise of ensuring safety.

Nuclear Maintenance Business Opportunity Fair

Aomori Prefecture staged the Nuclear Maintenance Business Opportunity Fair on November 15. This fair has been ongoing since 2008 to encourage Aomori's local businesses to take part in maintaining nuclear-related facilities. JNFL has been an active participant of the event.

Lectures on radiation

JNFL gives radiation-related lectures at schools located in Aomori. This is a program intended to  foster the next generation’s interest in science and provide an accurate understanding of radiation.

In regard to this approach, JNFL was awarded by Aomori’s prefectural board of education as “Aomori’s Career Education Supporting Company,” a firm working to assist schooling.

By continuing this approach, JNFL seeks to contribute to developing human resources and vitalizing Aomori Prefecture as a whole.