Embassy of Japan in the United States of America
在米国日本国大使館

(U.S.-Japan Nuclear Energy Steering Committee)

The 3rd U.S.-Japan Nuclear Energy Steering Committee meeting was held in Arlington on March 19.  More than 60 officials and experts from both countries participated in the meeting.  (Participants include Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Dr. Warren “Pete” Miller, Department of Energy; Director-General Toru Ishida, Japan’s Agency for Natural Resources and Energy of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI); and Deputy Director-General Keiichi Hakozaki, Research and Development Bureau at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).)

The Steering Committee recognized that cooperation should be strengthened, identified the new areas of R&D cooperation to be addressed, and agreed to consider the formation of new working groups such as the one concerning cooperation in engaging with third countries in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.  The following Joint Statement was adopted.

(Joint Statement)
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U.S.-JAPAN JOINT NUCLEAR ENERGY ACTION PLAN

US-Japan Nuclear Energy Steering Committee Joint Statement

The U.S.-Japan Nuclear Energy Steering Committee, which is responsible for the execution of the U.S.-Japan Joint Nuclear Energy Action Plan (JNEAP), met on March 19, 2010, and reaffirmed the United States’ and Japan’s commitment to nuclear energy cooperation.  The United States and Japan share the view that nuclear energy is indispensable as an energy source for combating climate change as well as ensuring energy security, and that further cooperation between both countries in the area of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy will advance their shared objectives of nuclear non-proliferation, safety and security, while a growing number of countries express their interest in introducing or expanding civilian nuclear power.

The Steering Committee recognizes and commends the efforts and achievements made by the JNEAP R&D working groups and New Nuclear Power Plant Construction Working Group.

Cooperation under JNEAP on nuclear energy should be strengthened, as articulated in the “Fact Sheet: Japan-U.S. Cooperation on Clean Energy Technologies” and “Japan-U.S. Joint Statement toward a World without Nuclear Weapons,” which President Obama and Prime Minister Hatoyama released on November 13, 2009. 

In order to address these issues, the Steering Committee identifies the following new areas of R&D cooperation to be added to the Action Plan:

• Cooperative research on advanced simulations for enhanced seismic safety of nuclear power plants, which will be included in the Simulation & Modeling Working Group;

• Waste vitrification research and development, which will be included in the Waste Management Working Group;

• Development of sensors for under sodium inspection of liquid metal fast reactors, which will be included in the Fast Reactor Technology Working Group. 

• Cooperative research on gas cooled reactor technology, which will be added to the Small & Medium Reactors Working Group;

The Steering Committee approves the Phase II work plan presented at the meeting and advises the working groups to prepare a report on their progress for the next Steering Committee meeting.

Additionally, the Steering Committee has agreed to consider the formation of the following two proposed working groups and to appoint representatives from Japan and the United States to explore and develop charters outlining the proposed mission and objectives as soon as practical:

• Effective Use of Nuclear Power Plants:

This working group would address issues concerning light water reactor sustainability R&D and the life extension, capacity factor and up-rate of existing facilities.  Both the Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry of Japan and the U.S. Department of Energy would encourage the participation of regulatory authorities and commercial firms from both countries in this working group.

• Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy in Third Countries:

This working group would examine barriers and opportunities as well as efforts to engage with third countries in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.  The Nuclear Fuel Supply Assurance Consulting Group and Expansion of Nuclear Energy Consulting Group would be integrated into this working group.