"Preliminary verification test in System B of the glass melter"

• The preliminary verification test in System B of the glass melter, which began on June 18, is due to be completed today.
• The test has gone smoothly so far, maintaining a stable glass temperature while keeping a good discharge flow at the same time.
• This is a result of applying measures based on the knowledge obtained over the last two years from the KMOC* facility in Tokai Village, Ibaraki. The test has verified the conditions for safe glass melter operation in System B of the glass melter.
• The data obtained from the preliminary verification test is currently being summarized, with the assessment results to be released within a week.
• The next step is to remove all the glass from System B of the glass melter, and heat up System A of the glass melter, starting in early August, as soon as the preparatory work is completed. In System A of the glass melter, test waste liquid is to be used with the newly-replaced combiner to verify discharge conditions. JNFL is committed to exercising due care in the Safety First approach in proceeding with the test.
• Meanwhile, the testing suspension for ten months due to the major earthquake has made it extremely difficult to meet the scheduled completion date of October this year.
  The revised completion timing will be released after a close investigation, reflecting the status of the preliminary verification test for System A of the glass melter.

"Approach to energy and environmental options"

• In its last month's meeting, the Energy and Environment Council presented three scenarios, setting the nation's ratio of nuclear power generation as of the year 2030 at "0%", "15%" and "20-25%".
• These options envisage reducing the ration of nuclear power generation, containing the ratio of thermal power generation from the perspective of CO2 emission mitigation, and substantially increasing reliance on the use of renewable energies. While I am personally for promoting the use of renewable energies, it is seriously questionable whether the targets set out in these scenarios are attainable.
• It is extremely difficult to make practical use of renewable energies such as solar and wind power for generating electricity. This is why the nation stays dependent on thermal power generation. With the CO2 issues unresolved, electricity prices skyrocketing and financial burden on residential and industry clients on the increase, there is a strong concern that the resulting corporate exodus could have a hollowing-out effect on Japanese industries.
• The Feed-In Tariff system for electricity generated with renewable energies, due to start this month, is based on the mechanism of passing the financial burden to clients in the form of increased power charges. Germany and Spain, which have a similar system, now face the need to review the system due to pubic discontent about their increased burden.
• Due to this situation, nuclear power generation must continue to serve set rules on the grand premise of safety assurance.
• Considering that Japan has a limited amount of natural resources, the nation should firmly retain the Nuclear Fuel Cycle program, which makes effective use of uranium resources and contributes to environmental conservation.
• Our nation cannot afford to follow an energy policy for 5 to 10 years only to find that it is a failure. We strongly hope that the matter is put to calm discussions that take reality into account.

* KMOC: Full-scale testing facility