Japanese Government to Revise Regulations on Exporting Radioactive Wastes Overseas

I received an e-mail from someone who told me that the draft of Japan's new "Basic Energy Plan" includes a policy for exporting radioactive waste overseas that is difficult to dispose of in Japan. It says that the government will revise the export regulations. The draft is preceded by a description of the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the decommissioning of nuclear power plants that have not been involved in accidents, and the disposal of radioactive waste resulting from the decommissioning.

"It is necessary to optimize the disposal of waste in order to proceed with decommissioning safely and smoothly. It is important to make use of the rich experience and technology of overseas companies for domestic work. For large equipment that is difficult to be treated appropriately and rationally in Japan, we will revise the necessary export regulations so that it will be possible to gain experience in operation including transportation through consignment treatment to overseas companies."

Basic Energy Plan (Draft) https://www.enecho.meti.go.jp/committee/council/basic_policy_subcommittee/2021/048/048_012.pdf, p.65

There has never been a revise of export controls on radioactive waste. In addition, it is blatantly stated that it is large equipment that cannot be processed in Japan, which is very serious.

There are several problems.

First, there is the ethical issue of consigning the transportation of waste that cannot be disposed of in Japan to an overseas company.

Secondly, there is the problem of transporting dangerous waste overseas. Japan has ratified the Convention on the Safety of Spent Nuclear Fuel Management and Radioactive Waste Management.
Japan has ratified the Convention on the Safety of Spent Nuclear Fuel Management and Radioactive Waste Management. Therefore, in principle, exports are not allowed under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Law.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) may be thinking of revising the notification.

Third, despite this serious matter that will overturn the previous policy, the Advisory Committee on Natural Resources and Energy has not discussed it properly. It has also not been reported to the Diet.

This issue will undoubtedly develop into a significant international problem. It is unacceptable to keep this kind of information in the Basic Energy Plan without any serious discussion. The government should delete this sentence.

I wrote this in a hurry, so please forgive my rambling.