Reference 1

19 May 1999
Federation of Electric Power Companies




The Long-Term Program for Development and Utilization of Nuclear Energy




1. Roles

The Atomic Energy Commission was established in 1956, and defined in its Long-Term Program for Development and Utilization of Nuclear Energy that the development and utilization of nuclear power in Japan was solely for peaceful purposes. Since then, the contents of the Program have been reviewed at five-year intervals (seven revisions).



2. Outline of the Previous Revision (26 June 1994)

(1) Regional Society in the 21st Century and the Role of Nuclear Power

Considering such issues as rising world population and energy consumption, limits on resources, deepening global environmental problems and international issues of the post-cold war period, nuclear power has an important role to play in the following areas:

The realization of rich and rewarding life for all mankind
The continuous development of human society in harmony with the global environment
Contributions to regional growth in the global society of the 21st century


(2) Future in Development and Utilization of Nuclear Power

Development and utilization targets

Conservation of energy and improved quality of life
Improvement of human welfare

Basic development and utilization priorities

Adherence to peaceful-use guidelines
The securing of public safety



(3) Basic Development and Utilization Policies

Promotion of nuclear power as a nation committed to peaceful-use guidelines
Establishment of an inter-related system for light-water nuclear power generation
Steady development of nuclear fuel cycle policies for the future
Development of various nuclear power technologies and strengthened basic research



3. Highlights of Previous Revisions to The Long Term Program for Development and Utilization of Nuclear Energy

Major Items
The Long Term Plan (drawn up in June 1994)

Forecast of the scale of nuclear power generation

2000: 45.6 million kW 2010: 70.5 million kW
2030: 100 million kW

Nuclear Fuel Cycle

Use of MOX fuel

Light water reactors

Reprocessing

Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant

Second reprocessing plant operated by private sector

Processing MOX fuel for Light-Water Reactors

Fast Breeder

Prototype reactor

Demonstration reactor

Establishment of technology

Domestic Demand Forecast for Plutonium

Late 1990s: a few units, around 2000: approx. 10 units

2000-2010: approx. 10 units or more

800 tons/year Operation starts after 2000

Determine policies on reprocessing capacity and technology for use around 2010

Operational on a scale of less than 100 tons per year after 2000

Monju: operation is scheduled at the end of1995

2 units, startup of the 1st plant is scheduled at the beginning of 2000s

around 2030

Balance supply with demand in order to avoid a plutonium surplus.
Meet demand by utilizing fast breeder demonstration reactors such as Monju, and MOX fuel at light-water reactors, supplied by the Rokkasho and Tokai Reprocessing Plants

Measures to Address High-Level Radioactive Waste

Establishment of a body to conduct the task
Operations to start 2030s-2040s
Continued planning for storage engineering center