Electric power generation

As an island country, it is impossible for Japan to exchange energy with neighboring countries through power transmission lines or pipelines. Japan is also energy-scarce, depending almost entirely on foreign countries for its energy resources. These conditions are completely different from those of Europe or the U.S.; therefore, the Long-Term Program concludes that it is rational to continue making the fullest possible use of nuclear power generation as one of the mainstays of the nation's energy supply. Nuclear power generation contributes to improved energy sufficiency and to the stability of the energy supply, in addition to playing an important role in reducing Japan's carbon dioxide emissions.

Utilization of plutonium

Japan's national policy opposes the possession of nuclear weapons: this country has promoted the development and utilization of nuclear power only for peaceful purposes. It is our goal to reprocess spent fuel and utilize the by-products, plutonium and uranium, for energy use. Regarding the reuse of plutonium, the Program urges complete transparency in the utilization process to attest to the principle that has been with us from the beginning: that there be no possession of surplus plutonium.

The recovered plutonium will be used in existing light water reactors in the process of MOX fuel utilization, and in research and development on, for example, fast breeder reactor technology. Electric utilities are beginning the commercial use of the light water reactors, which use the MOX fuel, and plan to gradually increase the number of them from 16 to 18 in total by the year 2010.

Fast-breeder reactor (FBR)

The Long-Term Program points out that it is essential for Japan to develop resource-saving energy technologies as a step toward a long-term stable energy supply and to secure technological options in a bid to solve future energy problems. The Program also states that arrangements will be made to develop the Monju FBR facility and its auxiliary facilities into an international cooperation base, open to researchers from Japan and abroad, with the results of their research and development efforts to be shared internationally.

Chairman Hiroji Ota of the Federation of Electric Power Companies had high praise for this latest Long-Term Program, noting that it provides "a fundamental philosophy and guidelines in the twenty-first century." He noted that the Program is impressive in that it not only reflects the opinions of nuclear experts, but those of the public at large; in addition, the process by which it was devised was highly transparent. Mr. Ota concluded, "We must continue to pursue the flexible and forward-looking development and utilization of nuclear power."