POINT OF VIEW/ Kenji Sumita: Nuclear regulatory system needs restructuring

Sept. 30 marked the 10th anniversary of Japan's worst nuclear accident. At a nuclear fuel processing plant operated by JCO Co. in Tokai, Ibaraki Prefecture, the country's first "criticality accident" claimed the lives of two workers. Memories of the incident are still fresh in our minds.

On the day of the accident, as acting chair of the government's Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC), I took part in the work to stop the criticality, or self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction, at the plant. After retiring from the government panel, I was based at the Atomic Energy Society of Japan, which is free from government constraints. I worked with my colleagues to compile investigative reports in both Japanese and English in an effort to record facts and lessons of the accident as accurately as possible.

At this juncture, I wish to clearly state the need for the government, which oversees atomic energy administration, to separate its functions to promote and regulate the use of atomic energy. Unless I do so now, I would go to my grave with regret.

The separation of promotion and regulation of atomic energy use is a fundamental rule of nuclear power administration and an internationally accepted concept. Most major signatories to the Convention on Nuclear Safety, which took effect in 1996 and is signed by 54 countries, have realized the separation. But Japan has yet to do so.

Take, for example, safety inspection of nuclear power plants. In Japan, the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA), which conducts inspections, belongs to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, which promotes the use of nuclear power. Inspection results are then double-checked by the NSC, which is an advisory panel to the prime minister.

Traditionally, government officials involved in atomic energy administration have been working hard to both promote and regulate atomic energy use. But the system led to frequent accidents and troubles. Frankly speaking, unless this system is changed, it will become increasingly difficult to win public support for nuclear energy.

For example, many local governments that host nuclear energy facilities individually set up advisory panels to local government chiefs for assessing safety of the facilities. This is simply because they do not have faith in the national government's regulatory system. But despite such a triple safety check system in place, the public remains skeptical about nuclear safety.

The separation of promotion and regulation has been a topic of discussion at a policy review committee of the Democratic Party of Japan for several years. The DPJ also submitted a bill to the Diet calling for separation. An association of local governments and the Japan Federation of Bar Associations have also made similar requests.

However, so far, the government has continued to ignore such realistic pleas made by people who understand the need for nuclear energy to a degree and want to ensure it is used safely.

In Japan, too, the government changed hands as a result of the Aug. 30 Lower House election. This is an ideal opportunity for the nation to make realistic policy responses to calls for separation of promotion and regulation of nuclear energy use.

To actually realize separation, considerable lead time would be needed for preparations. I strongly recommend that the NSC be upgraded to an administrative commission under Article 3 of the National Government Organization Law so that it can have stronger independent power. But to realize this goal, such administrative organizations as the NISA, which handles a massive volume of practical affairs on regulation, need to be reorganized. Moreover, a research and testing organization to support the basis of practical affairs must be set up. Otherwise, the NSC would end up functioning as a mere "think tank."

In order to achieve effective separation of promotion and regulation, I urge the government to look at reality and carefully take the first step without making haste or sticking to preconceived notions.

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The author is a former acting chair of the Nuclear Safety Commission.(IHT/Asahi: November 19,2009)