Statement by Ambassador Mitsuru Kitano at the Board of Governors Meeting starting on 7 September 2015

Item 3: Measures to Strengthen International Cooperation in Nuclear, Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety
(a) Measures to Strengthen International Cooperation in Nuclear, Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety
(b) Progress in the Implementation of the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety
 
 
Thank you, Madam Chair,
 
Japan welcomes the reports by the Director General, entitled “Measures to Strengthen International Cooperation in Nuclear, Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety” (GOV/2015/40) and “Progress in the Implementation of the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety” (GOV/INF/2015/13). Japan especially appreciates the Agency’s activities in response to the Fukushima Daiichi accident and welcomes that concrete progress has been made to strengthen nuclear safety worldwide, through a number of activities under the Action Plan.
 
I would like to thank the Agency for its continued cooperation with Japan since the Fukushima Daiichi accident. On behalf of Japan, I also express once again our gratitude to the Member States for the warm support extended to us.
 
With regard to the reports by the Director General (GOV/2015/40 and GOV/INF/2015/13), I would like to take this opportunity to make some remarks on the topics included in these reports, which are of particular relevance to Japan. I will also provide an update on the current progress towards decommissioning at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.
 
【IAEA Fukushima Report】
Madam Chair,
 
I would like to refer to the Report on the Fukushima Daiichi Accident, which is addressed in the report by the Director General (GOV/2015/40). Japan respectfully welcomes the publication of the Report on the Fukushima Daiichi accident and highly appreciates the efforts of the Agency in compiling it.
 
Japan recognizes that this is the comprehensive report developed by the Agency with authority on nuclear safety, and thus takes the report seriously. This report is also important in that it shares the observations and lessons learned from the Fukushima Daiichi accident with the international community.
 
Japan has already undertaken many measures based on the experiences and the lessons learned from the accident. Japan will continue to further enhance nuclear safety of its own facilities and contribute to international efforts to strengthen nuclear safety, taking account of the observations and lessons learned in the Report.
 
 
【Progress on Decommissioning Measures】
Madam Chair,
 
Although the work to decommission the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station is unprecedentedly complex, progress is being made step by step.
 
In June this year, Japan revised its “Mid-and-Long-Term Roadmap towards the Decommissioning of TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station”, which gives priority not just to speedy actions, but to actions that will steadily reduce risks in the long-term.　Japan is determined to make steady progress on decommissioning in line with this road map.
 
Decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station has made progress. In the process of removing the fuel assemblies stored in the spent fuel pool at Unit 3, the removal of the 20-ton rubble in the pool,  a remnant of the fuel handling machine, was one of the biggest challenges. TEPCO conducted and safely completed the removal of this rubble last month. This was an important step to the removal of the fuel assemblies located in the spent fuel pool at Unit 3.
 
In February this year, Japan hosted the third “IAEA International Peer Review Missions on the Mid-and-Long-Term Roadmap towards the Decommissioning of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Units 1-4”. Japan received useful advice from the IAEA experts, with deep knowledge in addressing remediation and decommissioning challenges, who participated in the Mission.
 
 
Japan will continue to contribute to strengthening international nuclear safety by sharing the experiences and lessons learned from the accident, as well as information on its decommissioning efforts with the international community.
 
【Public communication】
Madam Chair,
 
In this context, I would like to refer to our efforts in public communication. Providing information on general nuclear safety issues, including the current status of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, in the utmost transparency is one of the most important undertakings and responsibilities for Japan.
 
In this regard, Japan has provided updated information on the current situation at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in a comprehensive and timely manner to the IAEA Secretariat, which has subsequently uploaded the information on the IAEA website with its comments. The latest information has just been updated today and I would like to encourage all of you to check the IAEA website.
 
【IAEA Missions】
Madam Chair,
 
I would like to refer to the planned IRRS Mission to Japan, which are addressed in the report by the Director General (GOV/2015/40).
 Japan will receive an IRRS mission next year, which will review Japan’s new nuclear regulatory framework, which has been fundamentally restructured after the accident.
 
In July this year, the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) agreed with the IRRS preparatory team visiting Japan that it will receive the IRRS mission in January 2016. The NRA will continue to make preparations in a proactive manner to that end.
 
From June to July this year, Japan received an OSART mission at Units 6 and 7 of the TEPCO Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Station. Japan will continue to actively receive such IAEA missions.
 
【Restarting of NPP and Energy Mix】
Madam Chair,
 
Under Japan’s “Strategic Energy Plan” adopted by cabinet decision last year, Japan is to restart nuclear power plants, when such plants are confirmed by the NRA to conform to its world’s highest regulatory requirement.
 
On 11 August 2015, Sendai Nuclear Power Unit No.1 has become the first nuclear power plant to restart its operation in line with the Strategic Energy Plan, following more than two-year rigorous review process. The unit is currently in the final checkup process while operating to generate electricity.
 
In July this year, Japan has approved the “Long-term Energy Supply and Demand Outlook (Energy mix) “pursuant to the Strategic Energy Plan.
The outlook report estimates that the proportion of nuclear to total electricity generation will be between 20 and 22 percent in the 2030 fiscal year. In order to realize this energy mix plan, Japan will take a comprehensive approach and give its consideration on how to improve   the business environment for the nuclear sector.
【Transport of Radioactive Materials】
Madam Chair,
 
Before concluding, I would like to make some remarks on the ongoing informal dialogue between coastal and shipping states regarding the transport of radioactive materials. This informal dialogue, which takes place annually during the General Conference, has significantly contributed to enhancing the mutual understanding between Coastal and Shipping States. The table-top exercise held in June this year is the concrete result of the dialogue. I would like to express my thanks to the Secretariat for its support to this dialogue and commend Chile, current chair of this dialogue, for its outstanding leadership. The annual meeting of interested Parties will be convened again during the General Conference, on 17 September at 2 pm. I would also like to stress that the dialogue is open to all interested Member States, and welcome active participation. This year, Japan will take over the Chair of this dialogue from Chile, and will make further contribution to this dialogue.
 
Before concluding, I would like to express our special thanks to DDG Denis Flory on behalf of Japan and also in my personal capacity for a huge help and support we have received from him, particularly after the very difficult period after the Fukushima Daiichi accident in 2011. We hope all the best in his next endeavour, and we are looking forward to working closely with Mr.Juan Carlos Lentijo.
 
Madam Chair,
 
With these comments, my delegation wishes to take note of the documents contained in GOV/2015/40 and GOV/INF/2015/13.
Thank you, Madam Chair.