Statement by Ambassador Takeshi Hikihara at the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting starting on 9 September 2019: Item 3: Nuclear and radiation safety
2019/9/9
<General>
Thank you, Madame Chair,
In light of the increase of countries introducing nuclear power plants, and the growing importance of international cooperation on nuclear safety, Japan would like to actively contribute to the international cooperation to improve nuclear safety by making best use of our experiences in managing nuclear power plants. That includes their aging and decommissioning processes as well as the lessons learned from the Fukushima Daiichi accident.
Japan highly appreciates the activities of the Secretariat pertaining to the report, ‘Nuclear and Radiation Safety’, and would like to commend its efforts. We underline the importance of continued efforts by Member States to enhance their nuclear safety based on the achievements referred to in the report, and further cooperation with the IAEA.
Madame Chair,
While expressing our support to the Agency’s report, I would like to touch upon the matters on which Japan places importance as well as the activities of Japan in the area of nuclear safety.
< International Legal Frameworks for Nuclear Safety >
In ensuring nuclear safety, it is necessary to strengthen the international legal frameworks and to continue efforts for their effective implementation. Japan encourages those Member States, especially for embarking countries, which have not yet done so, to join the conventions related to nuclear safety.
The Eighth Review Meeting of the Convention on Nuclear Safety, and the Tenth meeting of the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident and Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency will be held next year. It is our hope that a discussion on Member States’ practices related to nuclear safety during these meetings will contribute to the strengthening of nuclear safety.
Japan will share its regulatory activities and proactively discuss with other Member States at these meetings.
<Peer Review Services>
Madame Chair,
We believe that the Agency’s peer review services are helpful for Member States to improve their nuclear safety and security.
Japan plans to receive an IRRS follow-up mission next year. We look forward to continuous cooperation with the Agency on peer review services.
< Emergency Preparedness and Response >
Madame Chair,
Emergency preparedness and response is one of the most important areas requiring further international cooperation.
In this regard, I would like to refer to the IAEA RANET Capacity Building Center in Fukushima. For the past few years, the Center has held 24 workshops and training courses. This Center provides a great contribution in capacity building on emergency response and preparedness, and serves to construct on networks among the participants from Member States.
Japan hopes that these activities strengthen Member States’ capabilities on emergency response and preparedness, and also deepen communication between Member States and the Agency, as well as among all Member States.
< Current Status of Fukushima Daiichi NPP >
Madame Chair,
I would like to take this opportunity to provide an update on the current situation regarding the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.
With an aim to provide information related to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, Japan has been providing the Secretariat with updated comprehensive information, as well as the results of environmental monitoring, the progress of decontamination, and the monitoring of food products. This information, together with the Secretariat’s comments, is available on the IAEA website, and the latest information was updated.
On the topic of marine monitoring around the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, IAEA experts have visited Japan to confirm the capability, data accuracy and precision of sampling methods of the Japanese analytical institutions since 2014. This activity contributes to the reliability of the data published by the Japanese Government, and we deeply appreciate the support of the Agency. Additionally, the IAEA and related institutions’ experts visited Japan this past June for the marine monitoring project. We look forward to continuous cooperation with the Agency on marine monitoring activities.
Furthermore, I would like to refer to the Cooperation Project between the IAEA and the Fukushima Prefecture on radiation monitoring and decontamination in Fukushima. IAEA experts have visited Fukushima prefecture every year since 2013. This year, the seminar for the prefectural officials was held in July. The remediation in Fukushima Prefecture is moving ahead through those efforts. Japan highly appreciates the support of the Agency, and would like to ask for further cooperation towards the reconstruction of Fukushima.
Last but not least,
As I mentioned, Japan continues to actively disseminate information on the progress of the aftermath of the Fukushima Accident based on scientific evidence in a transparent manner. I hope this information will prove helpful in the understanding of the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant and progress of the reconstruction of Fukushima for the world.
We hope that these efforts and experiences will help to further contribute to securing transparency and improving communication in nuclear safety.
With these comments, Japan takes note of the report contained in GOV/2019/27.
Thank you, Madame Chair.
Thank you, Madame Chair,
In light of the increase of countries introducing nuclear power plants, and the growing importance of international cooperation on nuclear safety, Japan would like to actively contribute to the international cooperation to improve nuclear safety by making best use of our experiences in managing nuclear power plants. That includes their aging and decommissioning processes as well as the lessons learned from the Fukushima Daiichi accident.
Japan highly appreciates the activities of the Secretariat pertaining to the report, ‘Nuclear and Radiation Safety’, and would like to commend its efforts. We underline the importance of continued efforts by Member States to enhance their nuclear safety based on the achievements referred to in the report, and further cooperation with the IAEA.
Madame Chair,
While expressing our support to the Agency’s report, I would like to touch upon the matters on which Japan places importance as well as the activities of Japan in the area of nuclear safety.
< International Legal Frameworks for Nuclear Safety >
In ensuring nuclear safety, it is necessary to strengthen the international legal frameworks and to continue efforts for their effective implementation. Japan encourages those Member States, especially for embarking countries, which have not yet done so, to join the conventions related to nuclear safety.
The Eighth Review Meeting of the Convention on Nuclear Safety, and the Tenth meeting of the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident and Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency will be held next year. It is our hope that a discussion on Member States’ practices related to nuclear safety during these meetings will contribute to the strengthening of nuclear safety.
Japan will share its regulatory activities and proactively discuss with other Member States at these meetings.
<Peer Review Services>
Madame Chair,
We believe that the Agency’s peer review services are helpful for Member States to improve their nuclear safety and security.
Japan plans to receive an IRRS follow-up mission next year. We look forward to continuous cooperation with the Agency on peer review services.
< Emergency Preparedness and Response >
Madame Chair,
Emergency preparedness and response is one of the most important areas requiring further international cooperation.
In this regard, I would like to refer to the IAEA RANET Capacity Building Center in Fukushima. For the past few years, the Center has held 24 workshops and training courses. This Center provides a great contribution in capacity building on emergency response and preparedness, and serves to construct on networks among the participants from Member States.
Japan hopes that these activities strengthen Member States’ capabilities on emergency response and preparedness, and also deepen communication between Member States and the Agency, as well as among all Member States.
< Current Status of Fukushima Daiichi NPP >
Madame Chair,
I would like to take this opportunity to provide an update on the current situation regarding the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.
With an aim to provide information related to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, Japan has been providing the Secretariat with updated comprehensive information, as well as the results of environmental monitoring, the progress of decontamination, and the monitoring of food products. This information, together with the Secretariat’s comments, is available on the IAEA website, and the latest information was updated.
On the topic of marine monitoring around the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, IAEA experts have visited Japan to confirm the capability, data accuracy and precision of sampling methods of the Japanese analytical institutions since 2014. This activity contributes to the reliability of the data published by the Japanese Government, and we deeply appreciate the support of the Agency. Additionally, the IAEA and related institutions’ experts visited Japan this past June for the marine monitoring project. We look forward to continuous cooperation with the Agency on marine monitoring activities.
Furthermore, I would like to refer to the Cooperation Project between the IAEA and the Fukushima Prefecture on radiation monitoring and decontamination in Fukushima. IAEA experts have visited Fukushima prefecture every year since 2013. This year, the seminar for the prefectural officials was held in July. The remediation in Fukushima Prefecture is moving ahead through those efforts. Japan highly appreciates the support of the Agency, and would like to ask for further cooperation towards the reconstruction of Fukushima.
Last but not least,
As I mentioned, Japan continues to actively disseminate information on the progress of the aftermath of the Fukushima Accident based on scientific evidence in a transparent manner. I hope this information will prove helpful in the understanding of the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant and progress of the reconstruction of Fukushima for the world.
We hope that these efforts and experiences will help to further contribute to securing transparency and improving communication in nuclear safety.
With these comments, Japan takes note of the report contained in GOV/2019/27.
Thank you, Madame Chair.