An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts today completed a nuclear security advisory mission in Japan, which was carried out at the request of the Japanese Government.
The scope of the two-week International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) follow-up mission included Japan’s responses to the recommendations of the initial mission in 2015 as well as the legal and regulatory framework for the security of nuclear material and facilities, computer and information security, and implementation of nuclear security at a facility. The IPPAS team also reviewed Japan’s implementation of the 2005 Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM). As part of the review, the team visited the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Station on the country’s northwest coast.
The team saw significant enhancements since the previous mission, observing that the nuclear security regime in Japan is robust and well-established, and incorporates the fundamental principles of the amended CPPNM. The team provided a recommendation and suggestions to support Japan in further strengthening and sustaining nuclear security. Good practices were identified that can serve as examples to other IAEA Member States to help strengthen their nuclear security activities.
The team was led by Joseph Sandoval, Distinguished Member of Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories in the United States, and included six other experts from Belgium, Finland, France, Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the IAEA. The team met in Tokyo with officials from the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA), the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Chubu Electric Power Company and Tokyo Electric Power Company.
“By hosting a follow-up IPPAS mission, the Government of Japan has demonstrated a strong continuous commitment to nuclear security and its enhancement,” said Raja Adnan, Director of the IAEA’s Division of Nuclear Security.
“Japan will continue to strive to improve nuclear security in the country in coordination among relevant ministries and agencies, taking into account the results of this mission,” said Toyoshi Fuketa, Chairman of the NRA. “We will further commit to contributing to the global effort for strengthening nuclear security in close cooperation with the IAEA.”
Background
The mission was the 85th IPPAS mission conducted by the IAEA since the programme began in 1995.
IPPAS missions are intended to assist States in strengthening their national nuclear security regime. The missions provide peer advice on implementing international instruments, along with IAEA guidance on the protection of nuclear and other radioactive material and associated facilities.
During missions, a team of international experts observes a nation's system of physical protection, compares it with international good practices and makes recommendations for improvement. IPPAS missions are conducted both on a nationwide and facility-specific basis.