to decentralize electric power stations. If economical problems are overcome,
smaller-scale reactors might be easier to guarantee safety.
23.5.2 Technology for the Back-end of the Nuclear Fuel
Cycle Must Be Enhanced. The Site for Final Disposal
of Nuclear Wastes Must be Determined as Soon
as Possible in Japan, Which is a Responsibility
of the Central Government
I have learned that technology for the back-end of the nuclear fuel cycle has already
been well developed, but it still does not seem to be working well.
I hope that the solutions will be realized as soon as possible. Especially, the
location for final disposal of nuclear wastes must be determined as soon as possible,
and this is really a responsibility of the National Government to determine the
location for the final disposal.
Not only Japan, but almost all countries including Germany, USA, Britain, and
Russia, have not yet decided the location for final disposal, excepting Finland and
Sweden. This decision must be made irrespective of whether nuclear power stations
are to be continued.
23.5.3 Research and Development of Innovative
Technologies, Such as Accelerator-Driven Systems,
Must Be Promoted to Encourage the Progress of Final
Disposal
It is extremely important to shorten the lifetimes of many radioactive nuclei in
nuclear wastes. The role of nuclear transmutation technology is one of the main
themes of this Symposium. The accelerator-driven system is one of the most
promising methods to transmute radioactive nuclei to those of shorter lifetimes.
In Japan, the Omega project, which includes an accelerator-driven system, has
been discussed for more than 10 years. I have helped to establish the J-PARC
because one of its purposes is to develop the transmutation technology.
I expect that Dr. Hiroyuki Oigawa will tell us about the accelerator-driven
system.
I would like to learn about the present situation of the transmutation technology
in Japan and in the world.
23 Expectation for Nuclear Transmutation
277
smaller-scale reactors might be easier to guarantee safety.
23.5.2 Technology for the Back-end of the Nuclear Fuel
Cycle Must Be Enhanced. The Site for Final Disposal
of Nuclear Wastes Must be Determined as Soon
as Possible in Japan, Which is a Responsibility
of the Central Government
I have learned that technology for the back-end of the nuclear fuel cycle has already
been well developed, but it still does not seem to be working well.
I hope that the solutions will be realized as soon as possible. Especially, the
location for final disposal of nuclear wastes must be determined as soon as possible,
and this is really a responsibility of the National Government to determine the
location for the final disposal.
Not only Japan, but almost all countries including Germany, USA, Britain, and
Russia, have not yet decided the location for final disposal, excepting Finland and
Sweden. This decision must be made irrespective of whether nuclear power stations
are to be continued.
23.5.3 Research and Development of Innovative
Technologies, Such as Accelerator-Driven Systems,
Must Be Promoted to Encourage the Progress of Final
Disposal
It is extremely important to shorten the lifetimes of many radioactive nuclei in
nuclear wastes. The role of nuclear transmutation technology is one of the main
themes of this Symposium. The accelerator-driven system is one of the most
promising methods to transmute radioactive nuclei to those of shorter lifetimes.
In Japan, the Omega project, which includes an accelerator-driven system, has
been discussed for more than 10 years. I have helped to establish the J-PARC
because one of its purposes is to develop the transmutation technology.
I expect that Dr. Hiroyuki Oigawa will tell us about the accelerator-driven
system.
I would like to learn about the present situation of the transmutation technology
in Japan and in the world.
23 Expectation for Nuclear Transmutation
277