Nuclear Non-Proliferation Efforts of New OrganizationFormed by the Merger of JAERI and JNC

摘要

The Government of Japan decided upon the merger of Japan Atomic Energy ResearchrnInstitute (JAERI) and Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute (JNC) on December 19, 2001.rnSince then, the two organizations have prepared for this merger. On November 26, 2004, thernlaw that sets out the functions of the new organization was enacted in the Diet. This newrnorganization will be established on October 1, 2005. It will be the only governmental nuclearrnresearch and development institute in Japan, including more than 4,000 staff members and 209rnbillion JPY (about $1,900 million) annual budgets. The new organization will engage inrnresearch activities ranging from basic research to practical application in the nuclear field.rnAs such an institute, “Nuclear Non-proliferation” should be one of the important missions,rnnot only to ensure and demonstrate that Japan respects the international nuclear nonproliferationrnframework and domestic law, but also to promote strengthening of the nuclearrnnon-proliferation regime. It will be important for this new organization to contribute to thernresearch and development of nuclear non-proliferation concepts and technologies, especially inrnthe Asian region. To fulfill these roles, a new Research Center for Nuclear Non-Proliferationrn(tentative name) will be established in the new organization at the same time. The new centerrnwill have four functions to carry out: nuclear proliferation policy research based on technicalrnaspects; technological research and development, including support of disposition of surplusrnplutonium in Russia; nuclear material management; and policy and planning. Policy research isrna new function that neither JAERI nor JNC have previously conducted. This paper willrnsummarize the merger and the new center.