IAEA group puts forth accord on use of Monju for research

摘要

Japan has agreed to allow an IAEA-led group to use the Monju fast breeder reactor—should it be restarted—for research, with certain conditions. At a special meeting held December 1-2, 2004, the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Technical Working Group on Fast Reactors (TWG-FR) and Japanese authorities agreed in principle that members of the group could do collaborative research using Japan's Monju sodium-cooled fast breeder prototype reactor when it restarts. Any work proposed by the group, however, will have to be fully defined and agreed to by the Japanese. Monju has been shut down since 1995, following a leak and fire. This accord comes while the restart is being considered by the courts. In addition, as with other nuclear projects in Japan, the consent of local communities is also needed.