IAEA Press Room

The Agency has been informed that two of its safeguards inspectors were involved in a car accident in Iran earlier today. One of the inspectors, from the Republic of Korea, was killed; the other, from Slovenia, was injured. The Agency is in touch with the inspectors’ families, and with the Iranian authorities.

The Agency would like to express its condolences to the inspector’s family.

For further information, contact:
IAEA Division of Public Information
[43-1] 2600-21273
press@iaea.org 

27 March 2012 | Vienna — A team of international nuclear safety experts has delivered its report on a mission it conducted from 21-31 January 2012 to review Japan’s process for assessing nuclear safety at the nation’s nuclear power plants. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) officials delivered the IAEA Mission Report to Japanese officials yesterday and made it publicly available today.

Following the 11 March 2011 accident at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) announced the development of a revised safety assessment process for the nation’s nuclear power reactors. At the request of the Government of Japan, the IAEA organized a team of five IAEA and three international nuclear safety experts and visited Japan to review NISA’s approach to the Comprehensive Assessments for the Safety of Existing Power Reactor Facilities and how NISA examines the results submitted by nuclear operators. A Preliminary Summary Report was issued on 31 January.

“The mission report provides additional information regarding the team’s recommendations and overall finding that NISA’s instructions to power plants and its review process for the Comprehensive Safety Assessments are generally consistent with IAEA Safety Standards,” said team leader James Lyons, Director of the IAEA’s Nuclear Installation Safety Division.

National safety assessments and their peer review by the IAEA are a key component of the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety, which was approved by the Agency’s Member States following last year’s nuclear accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.

The IAEA safety review mission held meetings in Tokyo with officials from NISA, the Japanese Nuclear Energy Safety Organization (JNES), and the Kansai Electric Power Company (KEPCO), and the team visited the Ohi Nuclear Power Station to see an example of how Japan’s Comprehensive Safety Assessment is being implemented by nuclear operators.

In its report delivered today, the team highlighted good practices and also identified improvements that would enhance the overall effectiveness of the Comprehensive Safety Assessment process.

“I hope nuclear regulators around the world use this report as a tool to evaluate their own safety assessment processes,” Lyons said. “We must learn the lessons of the Fukushima Daiichi accident so we can prevent a repeat of those terrible events a year ago.”

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IAEA Division of Public Information
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Vienna, 9 March 2012 | Nuclear power is safer than it was a year ago as the nuclear industry, regulators and governments act on the lessons of Fukushima, but that safety must never be taken for granted, said Yukiya Amano, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Speaking ahead of the first anniversary of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident on 11 March, Amano said a culture of constant vigilance and improvement was vital to ensure that the benefits of nuclear power could be harnessed as safely as humanly possible.

“Nuclear safety is stronger than it was a year ago,” he said. “Fukushima Daiichi was a very serious accident, but we know what went wrong and we have a clear course of action to tackle those causes – not only in Japan, but anywhere in the world. 

“Now we have to keep up the momentum. Complacency can kill. 

On 11 March 2011 a huge earthquake and tsunami left more than 20,000 people dead or missing in eastern Japan. Amidst widespread destruction, the tsunami slammed into Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station, disabling cooling systems and leading to fuel meltdowns in three of the six units. 

The accident was a jolt to the nuclear industry, regulators and governments. It was triggered by a massive force of nature, but it was existing weaknesses of design regarding defence against natural hazards, regulatory oversight, accident management and emergency response that allowed it to unfold as it did. For example: 

• The nuclear regulator was not sufficiently independent, allowing weak oversight of the operator, TEPCO, and regulatory requirements fell short of international best practice.
• Not enough attention was paid to guarding against possible extreme events at the Fukushima Daiichi site, leaving critical safety functions such as cooling systems vulnerable to the tsunami.
• Training to respond to serious accidents was inadequate, as were mitigation measures to prevent hydrogen explosions and protect the venting system.
• Accident command lines were unclear and response plans not sufficiently integrated. 

“Human failings such as these are not unique to Japan,” Amano said. “We humans learn from our mistakes. Countries around the world are searching out the weak links in their own systems, and taking action to strengthen them.” 

Earlier assumptions about plant safety in the face of extreme conditions have been scrutinised and revised, and defences are being strengthened. The IAEA Nuclear Safety Action Plan, endorsed unanimously last September by the Agency’s Member States, sets out a blueprint for national and international action in 12 major areas. Among these: 

• The IAEA has developed a new methodology for assessing the safety vulnerabilities of nuclear power plants, which has already been used on an IAEA expert mission to review the approach taken by Japan in its own plant safety assessment.
• The IAEA has sent a number of other expert technical missions to support Japan, and has advised the country as it establishes a new, more independent regulatory system.
• The IAEA’s Safety Standards, which provide the basis for a high level of safety, have been systematically reviewed and proposals have been made to reinforce them, with particular emphasis on a strong regulatory framework and safe siting, design and operation of plants.
• The IAEA has stepped up its peer review services, incorporating lessons of Fukushima to help Member States assess and reinforce nuclear safety, and has taken steps to improve coordination with operators.
• Member States agreed to strengthen and expand the IAEA’s communication role in response to nuclear emergencies, including provision of analysis and possible prognoses.

Resources: 

For more information on the Fukushima accident and follow-up actions, including the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety, visit: Focus on Fukushima. 

For broadcast materials, including Fukushima B-roll, please contact Louise Potterton, [43-1] 2600-22446, E-mail: l.j.potterton@iaea.org

For further information, contact:

IAEA Division of Public Information
[43-1] 2600-21273
press@iaea.org

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I wanted to inform you very briefly about my remarks in the Board of Governors just now.

I explained to the Board that the Agency has one objective, which is to restore international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear activities. Read the rest

Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen.

I would like to make a few brief comments on three of the issues which I covered in my opening statement to the Board of Governors this morning.

First, the anniversary of the Fukushima Daiichi accident.

As you know, next Sunday, it will be exactly one year since this very serious accident. We have come a long way in that time. Japan has declared that the crippled reactors have reached cold shutdown status. IAEA Member States agreed a Nuclear Safety Action Plan and good progress has been made in implementing it. Read the rest

PRESS RELEASE

IAEA and WANO mark anniversary of Fukushima accident, increase cooperation

Vienna/London, 5 March – Next Sunday, 11 March 2012, marks the first anniversary of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck the east coast of Japan. One year on, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) are increasing their mutual cooperation to maximise nuclear safety efforts around the globe.

The two organisations are revising their memorandum of understanding in light of the lessons learned from the Fukushima accident , and will be stepping up their efforts to share expertise and knowledge between operators and governments. There will be greater coordination between WANO peer reviews and IAEA OSART missions, in which international experts assess the safety of individual nuclear power plants, and discussions are under way to examine further areas to improve information sharing. This is in addition to the other work each organisation is doing to reinforce nuclear safety worldwide. Read the rest

Mr Chairman,

Next Sunday is the first anniversary of the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan. Considerable effort has been made to restore normality at the plant and the Japanese authorities have declared that they have reached cold shut down status. But there is still much to be done in the coming months and years. I will begin today by updating you on developments in the area of nuclear safety, which is the subject of three items on your Agenda.

You have before you my second report on Progress in the Implementation of the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety. Good progress has been made. At a technical briefing to Member States in January, we outlined the broad range of activities still to be undertaken by the Agency and Member States under the Action Plan. We launched the Nuclear Safety Action Plan Web Platform, which provides up-to-date information on implementation and enables Member States to share safety-related technical information. The new IAEA methodology for assessing the safety vulnerabilities of nuclear power plants was used as the basis for an IAEA international expert mission to Japan in January to review the country’s approach to carrying out so-called stress tests. Read the rest

Vienna, 29 February – IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano issued the following statement:

“The announcement by the United States about its recent talks with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is an important step forward.

“As I have said before, the Agency has an essential role to play in verifying the DPRK’s nuclear programme. Pending further details, we stand ready to return to Yongbyon to undertake monitoring activities upon request and with the agreement of the Agency’s Board of Governors.”

Background

22 February, Vienna – A senior IAEA expert team is returning from Iran after two days of discussions with Iranian officials held on 20 and 21 February. The meeting followed previous discussions held on 29 to 31 January.

During both the first and second round of discussions, the Agency team requested access to the military site at Parchin. Iran did not grant permission for this visit to take place.

Intensive efforts were made to reach agreement on a document facilitating the clarification of unresolved issues in connection with Iran’s nuclear programme, particularly those relating to possible military dimensions. Unfortunately, agreement was not reached on this document.

“It is disappointing that Iran did not accept our request to visit Parchin during the first or second meetings,” IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said. “We engaged in a constructive spirit, but no agreement was reached.”

IAEA Team Concludes Peer Review of Sweden’s Nuclear Regulatory Framework 

17 February 2012 |Stockholm, Sweden — An international team of senior nuclear safety and radiation protection experts today concluded a 12-day mission to review the regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety in Sweden.

The Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission, which was conducted at the request of Sweden, noted good practices in the country’s nuclear regulatory system and also made recommendations and suggestions for the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) and the government. These are aimed at strengthening the effectiveness of the country’s regulatory framework and functions in line with IAEA Safety Standards. Read the rest

Correction of 1 February IAEA press statement

An IAEA statement on 1 February 2012 stated that Agency officials would hold a further meeting with Iran in Tehran on 21-22 February. Unfortunately these dates were incorrect; the meetings are in fact scheduled for 20-21 February. The corrected statement follows:

IAEA-Iran Discussions in Tehran, 29-31 January 2012

Vienna, 1 February 2012 – Meetings between the IAEA and Iran were held in Tehran from 29 to 31 January 2012, aimed at resolving all outstanding substantive issues. Another meeting will take place in Tehran from 20 to 21 February 2012.

The IAEA explained its concerns and identified its priorities, which focus on the clarification of possible military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear programme.

The IAEA also discussed with Iran the topics and initial steps to be taken, as well as associated modalities.

“The Agency is committed to intensifying dialogue. It remains essential to make progress on substantive issues,” IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said.

31 January 2012, Tokyo, Japan – A team of international nuclear safety experts today completed a review of Japan’s two-stage process for assessing nuclear safety at the nation’s nuclear power plants.  The team began its work on 23 January and delivered a preliminary summary report to Japanese officials today and plans to finish the final report by the end of February.

National safety assessments and their peer review by the IAEA are a key component of the IAEA’s Action Plan on Nuclear Safety, which was approved by the agency’s 152 Member States following last year’s nuclear accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. At the request of the Government of Japan, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) organized a 10-person team to review the Japanese Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency’s (NISA) approach to the Comprehensive Assessments for the Safety of Existing Power Reactor Facilities and how NISA examines the results submitted by nuclear operators. Read the rest

30 January 2012 – A number of media reports have incorrectly quoted Director General Yukiya Amano as saying the IAEA will establish an office in Fukushima at the request of Japan.

These reports are based on a misquotation of remarks by the Director General, who at no point stated that the IAEA would open a new office.

 The IAEA is giving careful consideration to a request from Japan to open an office in Fukushima, but nothing has been decided yet. The IAEA will consult as necessary on this matter.

The latest IAEA status report to the public on the current status of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant is now available online.

A senior IAEA team will visit Iran from 29 to 31 January 2012. The overall objective of the IAEA is to resolve all outstanding substantive issues.

The team of experts will be led by the Deputy Director General for Safeguards, Herman Nackaerts, and will include the Assistant Director General for Policy, Rafael Grossi.

“The Agency team is going to Iran in a constructive spirit, and we trust that Iran will work with us in that same spirit,” IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said.

Team Members of the IAEA International Complementary Safety Assessment Review Mission (Japan)

23-31 January 2012 Read the rest

Remarks by Director General Yukiya Amano

At

New Year’s Reception

Vienna

19 January 2012

Dear friends and colleagues,

Thank you for joining me for this New Year reception. Happy New Year to you all!

The nuclear world has undergone some dramatic changes since my last New Year reception in 2011. The Fukushima Daiichi accident in March had a significant impact on the Agency’s work and we will be dealing with its consequences for years to come. Read the rest

An IAEA expert mission will conduct a visit to Japan next week to assist the nation’s development of a comprehensive assessment of the safety of existing nuclear power plants.

Arranged at the request of the Japanese government, the IAEA International Complementary Safety Assessment Review Mission will conduct its visit from 23 to 31 January. The team will hold meetings with Japanese officials in Tokyo and conduct a site visit to the Ohi Nuclear Power Plant in Fukui Prefecture. The 10-member team will consist of IAEA nuclear experts and international specialists.

“I appreciate the invitation from the government of Japan to conduct this important safety mission and I look forward to our interactions with our Japanese counterparts,” said IAEA team leader James Lyons, Director of the IAEA’s Nuclear Installation Safety Division.

Japan’s request for the mission follows the approval of the Nuclear Safety Action Plan by all IAEA Member States in September 2011. The Action Plan defines a programme of work to strengthen the global nuclear safety framework, and it calls for nations to promptly undertake a national assessment of the design of nuclear power plants against extreme natural hazards and to implement corrective actions as needed.

Japan’s nuclear regulator, the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, has prepared an approach to assessing nuclear power plant safety and the IAEA mission will review that approach and provide findings and recommendations to NISA.

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