JAPANESE HLW DISPOSAL PROGRAM - WHERE WE STAND

摘要

The Long-term Program formulated by the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) of Japan specifies that HLW separated during reprocessing of spent fuel is vitrified, stored for a period of 30 to 50 years for cooling and finally disposed of in a stable geological environment deep underground. In the year 2000, geological disposal program in Japan stepped up into the phase of implementation from the phase of generic research and development (R&D). Following legislation of “Specified Radioactive Waste Final Disposal Act” in June 2000, the “Nuclear Waste Management Organization of Japan (NUMO)” was established in October 2000 as an implementing organization. The assigned activities of NUMO include selection of the repository site, demonstration of disposal technology at the site, relevant licensing applications as well as construction, operation and closure of the repository.