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Mainichi Editorial: Gov't should acknowledge limits of nuclear fuel cycle project
"The government should put an end to the nuclear fuel cycle policy and disapprove of the operation of the reprocessing plant."
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/perspectives/news/20140108p2a00m0na010000c.html
Editorial: Gov't should acknowledge limits of nuclear fuel cycle project
January 08, 2014(Mainichi Japan)
Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd. (JNFL) has applied with the government's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) for safety inspections of its so-called spent nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in Rokkasho, Aomori Prefecture, which is the core of the nuclear fuel cycle project, and other relevant facilities, under new nuclear power regulatory standards. The company is aiming to complete the plant in October 2014.
<snip>
However, there are problems involving the project from the viewpoint of safety, economic efficiency and nuclear non-proliferation. The project would be unnecessary if the government is to decrease Japan's reliance on atomic power. The government should put an end to the nuclear fuel cycle policy and disapprove of the operation of the reprocessing plant.
The construction of the reprocessing plant got under way in 1993 and was to be completed in 1997. However, the completion of the work has been postponed 20 times because of a series of technical problems. The construction costs, which were initially estimated at about 760 billion yen, have snowballed to around 2.2 trillion yen.
<snip>
Even if the operation of the plant starts, there is currently no reactor where extracted plutonium can be burned. The prototype fast-breeder reactor Monju, which uses plutonium, remains idled following revelations that mechanics failed to sufficiently inspect it. The NRA has not given the green light for work to prepare for the restarting of Monju. Nor are there any prospects that a project to burn plutonium in conventional nuclear reactors can be put to practical use in the foreseeable future.
If Japan is to stockpile a massive amount of plutonium which can be used as a material for nuclear weapons, it would raise grave concerns in the international community, and increase the risk of terrorist attacks.
Questions also remain as to the economic efficiency of the nuclear fuel cycle project. A subcommittee of the Japan Atomic Energy Commission concluded in 2012 that disposing a full amount of spent nuclear fuel is cheaper than fully reprocessing such radioactive waste or a combination of disposal and reprocessing.
<snip>
Editorial: Gov't should acknowledge limits of nuclear fuel cycle project
January 08, 2014(Mainichi Japan)
Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd. (JNFL) has applied with the government's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) for safety inspections of its so-called spent nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in Rokkasho, Aomori Prefecture, which is the core of the nuclear fuel cycle project, and other relevant facilities, under new nuclear power regulatory standards. The company is aiming to complete the plant in October 2014.
<snip>
However, there are problems involving the project from the viewpoint of safety, economic efficiency and nuclear non-proliferation. The project would be unnecessary if the government is to decrease Japan's reliance on atomic power. The government should put an end to the nuclear fuel cycle policy and disapprove of the operation of the reprocessing plant.
The construction of the reprocessing plant got under way in 1993 and was to be completed in 1997. However, the completion of the work has been postponed 20 times because of a series of technical problems. The construction costs, which were initially estimated at about 760 billion yen, have snowballed to around 2.2 trillion yen.
<snip>
Even if the operation of the plant starts, there is currently no reactor where extracted plutonium can be burned. The prototype fast-breeder reactor Monju, which uses plutonium, remains idled following revelations that mechanics failed to sufficiently inspect it. The NRA has not given the green light for work to prepare for the restarting of Monju. Nor are there any prospects that a project to burn plutonium in conventional nuclear reactors can be put to practical use in the foreseeable future.
If Japan is to stockpile a massive amount of plutonium which can be used as a material for nuclear weapons, it would raise grave concerns in the international community, and increase the risk of terrorist attacks.
Questions also remain as to the economic efficiency of the nuclear fuel cycle project. A subcommittee of the Japan Atomic Energy Commission concluded in 2012 that disposing a full amount of spent nuclear fuel is cheaper than fully reprocessing such radioactive waste or a combination of disposal and reprocessing.
<snip>
Any sane person would cancel this project immediately.
