IAEA3月理事会（議題5 原子力技術レビュー2025）ステートメント（谷内一智公使）（英語）
令和7年3月4日
Thank you, Chair,
Japan thanks the Agency for its report “Nuclear Technology Review 2025”.
I would like to highlight some of the key undertakings Japan has taken in the field of peaceful uses.
The first of these is nuclear power. Japan has recently issued its 7th Strategic Energy Plan. To secure decarbonized power sources that meet the growing electricity demand, Japan will maximize the use of nuclear energy alongside renewable energy and strengthen cooperation with the IAEA for this purpose. Some of the key steps forward include the steady resumption of operation of nuclear power plants which ensure the highest levels of safety as a fundamental prerequisite, and promotion of the development of next-generation advanced reactors. Japan projects that, by fiscal year 2040, nuclear power will play a larger role in our national energy mix, increasing from the current 8.5% to approximately 20%.
Next, I would like to underline Japan’s efforts in the field of fusion energy. With an aim of demonstrating power generation in the 2030s, Japan is now actively promoting varieties of fusion R&D activities, including the establishment and upgrading of core facilities, launching of an innovative research programme, and the enhancement of public-private partnership and international collaborations. Japan also promotes discussions on safety regulation in this regard. Japan appreciates Italy and the IAEA for organizing the inaugural ministerial meeting of the World Fusion Energy Group, which has given further momentum to our endeavor towards realization of fusion energy.
Chair,
Third among these peaceful uses is non-power nuclear applications which contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. Japan strongly supports the Agency’s various initiatives in this regard. During DG Grossi’s visit to Japan two weeks ago, Japan pledged an additional 12.3 million Euro through the Peaceful Uses Initiative (PUI) for Rays of Hope, ZODIAC, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme, and others. This includes enhancement of cancer diagnostic capabilities in Africa.
Additionally, Japan decided to extend a grant assistance equivalent to approximately 4.2 million USD to Honduras to help fight against cancer in cooperation with the IAEA. I would like to highlight that this is our first example of trilateral cooperation with the Agency under Rays of Hope.
Japan will host the Lise Meitner Programme this June for the first time and looks forward to welcoming talented women there.
Lastly, during the DG’s visit, Practical Arrangements were signed between the IAEA on the one hand and the JAEA, which is a national R&D institute in the nuclear field, Sumitomo Corporation, and Sophia University on the other. We believe that all these will deepen and enlarge our collaborative efforts to further promote peaceful uses of nuclear energy in various areas.
With these comments, Japan takes note of the Agency’s report.
Thank you, Chair.
Japan thanks the Agency for its report “Nuclear Technology Review 2025”.
I would like to highlight some of the key undertakings Japan has taken in the field of peaceful uses.
The first of these is nuclear power. Japan has recently issued its 7th Strategic Energy Plan. To secure decarbonized power sources that meet the growing electricity demand, Japan will maximize the use of nuclear energy alongside renewable energy and strengthen cooperation with the IAEA for this purpose. Some of the key steps forward include the steady resumption of operation of nuclear power plants which ensure the highest levels of safety as a fundamental prerequisite, and promotion of the development of next-generation advanced reactors. Japan projects that, by fiscal year 2040, nuclear power will play a larger role in our national energy mix, increasing from the current 8.5% to approximately 20%.
Next, I would like to underline Japan’s efforts in the field of fusion energy. With an aim of demonstrating power generation in the 2030s, Japan is now actively promoting varieties of fusion R&D activities, including the establishment and upgrading of core facilities, launching of an innovative research programme, and the enhancement of public-private partnership and international collaborations. Japan also promotes discussions on safety regulation in this regard. Japan appreciates Italy and the IAEA for organizing the inaugural ministerial meeting of the World Fusion Energy Group, which has given further momentum to our endeavor towards realization of fusion energy.
Chair,
Third among these peaceful uses is non-power nuclear applications which contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. Japan strongly supports the Agency’s various initiatives in this regard. During DG Grossi’s visit to Japan two weeks ago, Japan pledged an additional 12.3 million Euro through the Peaceful Uses Initiative (PUI) for Rays of Hope, ZODIAC, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme, and others. This includes enhancement of cancer diagnostic capabilities in Africa.
Additionally, Japan decided to extend a grant assistance equivalent to approximately 4.2 million USD to Honduras to help fight against cancer in cooperation with the IAEA. I would like to highlight that this is our first example of trilateral cooperation with the Agency under Rays of Hope.
Japan will host the Lise Meitner Programme this June for the first time and looks forward to welcoming talented women there.
Lastly, during the DG’s visit, Practical Arrangements were signed between the IAEA on the one hand and the JAEA, which is a national R&D institute in the nuclear field, Sumitomo Corporation, and Sophia University on the other. We believe that all these will deepen and enlarge our collaborative efforts to further promote peaceful uses of nuclear energy in various areas.
With these comments, Japan takes note of the Agency’s report.
Thank you, Chair.