Japan to export its nuclear expertise

An "all-star" public-private council will be created Thursday to provide Japanese expertise to countries planning to introduce nuclear power generation, officials said.

The council, led by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, will offer know-how on safety regulations and management of nuclear materials.

It will also aim to secure uranium resources overseas and help domestic equipment makers gain footholds in markets abroad.

The government hopes to lead international efforts to manage nuclear materials by drawing on its experience over the past 50 years in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, sources said.

The council's government members will be drawn from the industry ministry, the Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Foreign Ministry.

The team will also include officials from electric power companies and equipment manufacturers, as well as academics and researchers.

An industry ministry official described the membership as an "all-star cast."

Nuclear power generation is drawing increasing attention around the world as an answer to global warming.

Around 150 nuclear power plants are under construction or in the planning stages in about 30 countries, of which more than 20 do not currently have nuclear power plants.

The increase in newcomers will add to concerns about nuclear proliferation and safety.

Countries planning to introduce their first nuclear power plant are putting arrangements in place to import uranium resources.

They will also have to accept inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency to prove that they have no intention of using nuclear power generation facilities for military purposes.

They will have to draw up domestic laws and regulations to ensure safety, set up administrative bodies and train human resources.

Japan, for its part, plans to share safety management methods, safety-related regulations and expertise on nonproliferation, by accepting trainees and dispatching experts overseas. It also expects these activities to revitalize its own industry.

In recent years, the industry ministry, electric power companies and the Japan External Trade Organization have received requests for cooperation from countries in Asia and the Middle East.

Since 2007, the industry ministry has signed nuclear cooperation agreements with Indonesia, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Italy, none of which operates nuclear power plants.(IHT/Asahi: June 17,2009)