Status of the High-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Programme in Japan

Abstract

The Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute (JNC, successor to the Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development Corporation - PNC) has been active in research and development (R and D) activities for high-level radioactive waste (HLW) disposal in accordance with the overall Japanese HLW management programme and the Guidelines defined by the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) of Japan. The aims of the R&D activities are to provide a scientific and technical basis for the geological disposal of HLW in Japan, and to achieve a higher level of understanding of geological disposal in the scientific and technical community as well as in the general public. The progress of the R&D programme is documented at appropriate intervals, to clearly determine the level of progress and promote public understanding and acceptance of the geological disposal strategy. As a major milestone, PNC submitted a first progress report, referred to as H3, in September 1992. H3 summarised the results of R and D activities up to March 1992 and identified priority issues for further study. The second progress report, referred to as H12, is scheduled for submission around the year 2000, and should demonstrate more rigorously and transparently the feasibility of the specified disposal concept. It should also provide input for the siting and regulatory processes, which will be set in motion after the year 2000.