The nuclear fuel cycle in Japan

Abstract

The U.S. and Japan reached agreement in 1977 on the reprocessing of spent nuclear reactor fuel of U.S. origin at a facility in Japan. Under the agreement, a plant at Tokai-mura will process up to 99 tons of spent fuel, extracting plutonium from the irradiated fuel assemblies of a demonstration reactor and power reactors. The extracted Pu will be stored for an initial period of two years, rather than converted to reactor fuel. Japan agreed to postponing conversion because it shares with the United States the view ''that Pu poses a serious proliferation danger, that its recycling in light water reactors is not ready at present for commercial use, and that its premature commercialization should be avoided.'' Japan also made concessions on conducting studies on co-processing of U and Pu. The fundamental problem remains unresolved. The result of the negotiations indicates some flexibility on the part of the U.S. This could also be expected when the deliberations in the U.S. Congress on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1978 (export control legislation) are studied. The legislation was originally intended for nothing but export control, but the White House requested some modification to leave room for international negotiations. The clause that wouldmore » have banned exports immediately or after a certain period of time was taken out, and the final bill did not demand a prior pledge not to engage in reprocessing or in uranium enrichment. The U.S. is beginning to take into consideration the differing circumstances and policies of other countries. The U.S., in giving first priority to nuclear non-proliferation, is trying to curb Pu recycling as much as possible, whereas other countries regard Pu recycling as one key to future energy supplies.« less