International Comparison of Nuclear Safety Regulations after the Fukushima Accident - Indicators and Possibilities for New Environmental Policies -

• Project/Area Number: 15K00665
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Environmental policy and social systems
• Research Institution: Meiji University
• Principal Investigator: KATSUTA TADAHIRO 明治大学, 法学部, 専任准教授 (80552463)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2017)
• Budget Amount: ¥3,770,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥870,000); Fiscal Year 2017: ¥650,000 (Direct Cost: ¥500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥150,000); Fiscal Year 2016: ¥1,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000); Fiscal Year 2015: ¥1,820,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥420,000)
• Keywords: 原子力政策 / 安全規制 / 再処理 / 核燃料サイクル / 福島第一原子力発電所事故 / 原子力発電 / 原子力 / 原子力規制委員会 / 新検査制度 / 新規制基準 / プルトニウム / 福島第一原発事故 / 再処理工場

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this research, barriers and solutions for domestic nuclear regulatory activities were clarified. Firstly, the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA)'s safety reviews for the Rokkasho reprocessing plant were analyzed. Based on the results, the specific risks posed by operators without operating experience and regulators without experience of regulating reprocessing facilities are presented. Next, the NRA's safety reviews for the nuclear power plants were analyzed. As a result, it was revealed that strict safety goals and a cost benefit analysis are needed as in the case of United States. In addition, the need for a third-party organization with a professional and independent position that deals with energy and nuclear policies is presented. Finally, the NRA's new inspection system was analyzed. Based on the results of this analysis, the importance of feasibility, code of conduct, and accountability to the public as well as the operators is pointed out.

Research Products

• [Int'l Joint Research] Mucle Schneider Consulting(France)
• [Int'l Joint Research] Independent Consultant(英国)
• [Int'l Joint Research] University of British Columbia(Canada)
• [Journal Article] Have the safety regulators of Japan’s Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant learned the lessons of the Fukushima Accident?―Assessment of the new regulatory standards and safety countermeasures―) (2016)
  • Author(s): Tadahiro Katsuta
  • Journal Title: Institute of Nuclear Materials Management 57th Annual Meeting Volume: -
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] The Rokkasho test: Has Japan learned the lessons of Fukushima (2016)
  • Author(s): Tadahiro Katsura
  • Journal Title: Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Volume: 72 Issue: 3 Pages: 180-184
  • DOI: 10.1080/00963402.2016.1170398
  • Acknowledgement Compliant
• [Presentation] 福島原発事故後の原子力政策の課題と展望 (2017)
  • Author(s): 勝田忠広
  • Organizer: 第6回原子力政策・福島復興シンポジウム
  • Place of Presentation: 早稲田大学レジエンス研究所
  • Year and Date: 2017-03-07
• [Presentation] IAEA IRRS（日本への総合規制評価サービス）ミッション報告を受けた対応について（2）新たな検査制度 ―課題と展望― (2016)
  • Author(s): 勝田忠広
  • Organizer: 日本原子力学会2016年秋の学会
  • Place of Presentation: 久留米シティプラザ
  • Year and Date: 2016-09-09
• [Presentation] Have the safety regulators of Japan’s Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant learned the lessons of the Fukushima Accident?―Assessment of the new regulatory standards and safety countermeasures―) (2016)
  • Author(s): Tadahiro Katsuta
  • Organizer: Institute of Nuclear Materials Management 57th Annual Meeting
  • Place of Presentation: Atlanta Marriott Marquis
  • Year and Date: 2016-07-28
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Remarks] World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2017
  • URL: https://www.worldnuclearreport.org/-2017-.html
• [Remarks] Why was the Sendai nuclear power plant restarted?
  • URL: http://thebulletin.org/why-was-sendai-nuclear-power-plant-restarted8644
• [Remarks] The World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2015
  • URL: http://www.worldnuclearreport.org/-2015-.html