Approval of the draft report on modification of safety measures for JNFL’s reprocessing business

At the Nuclear Regulation Authority Commission held on 13 May, 2020, a draft report on JNFL’s safety measures in conformity with new requirements was approved. JNFL perceives the approval as a big step forward and tries our best toward the official approval to be given after several procedures such as public comment.

In Japan, new regulatory requirements were enforced in December, 2013 into the new regulation, reflecting lessons learned from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident. This regulation is said to have institutionalized the highest level of safety requirements in the world. JNFL submitted an application for the modification of the reprocessing business to the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) on 7 January, 2014, and safety checks by the NRA have lasted for about 6 years.

JNFL has to take necessary steps such as construction work to enhance safety of the reprocessing plant, the approval of the construction work and the pre-service inspection of the plant, after receiving the official approval. JNFL shall contribute to the establishment of the closed fuel cycle in order to secure the energy security of Japan, based on the strict IAEA safeguards and the enhancement of physical protection of nuclear material as major premises.