A committee considering the future of Japan Atomic Energy Agency’s (JAEA’s) Monju prototype fast breeder reactor (FBR) has set out the requirements for an alternative operator for it. Last November, Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) said it had determined JAEA was not competent to operate the reactor in Fukui prefecture. The decision followed revelations of a history of insufficient inspections of equipment. At that time, it recommended to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) that it should find an alternative operator for Monju. A special committee under MEXT considering the status and future of the FBR reactor issued a report on 27 May detailing the necessary requirements for the new operator.
World Nuclear News 1st June 2016 read more »