NSnet, Enhancing Safety Culture

The JCO accident was clearly attributable to the attenuation of a "safety-first" awareness. The development and entrenchment of Safety Culture while consistently maintaining a very high level of safety awareness and practices. In the wake of last year's tragic accident, the nuclear industry, led by the Federation of Electric Power Companies, created the Nuclear Safety Network (NSnet) in December 1999, incorporating all 35 firms and research organs participating in the nuclear fuel cycle. Since its founding, NSnet has carried out seminars and training programs, disseminated information, and actively engaged in Peer Review (mutual evaluation) among members. Their goal is to produce the highest standards of safety and emergency preparedness.

Beyond JCO: Nuclear Energy Faces the Future

Today, there are 51 nuclear reactors in operation in Japan, with four others under construction. After the JCO accident, two reactors one in Shimane Prefecture in southwest Japan, facing the Japan Sea; the other in Hokkaido, in the north have received approval to be expanded. Construction of a reprocessing plant is proceeding smoothly in Rokkasho Mura in Aomori Prefecture, at the northern tip of Honshu. Given Japan's heavy dependence on energy imports and its pressing need to secure a stable supply of energy in the future, it is clear that the nation cannot depend solely on oil, coal and natural gas. The supply of nuclear fuel is stable and nuclear power is a clean source of energy, as it emits no CO2 in the generation process. Japan, with its scarce energy resources, is pushing ahead with nuclear development on the basis of nuclear non-proliferation and safety, while fully taking into account the lessons learned from the JCO accident.