Japan on Tuesday approved an energy plan that sets ambitious targets for nuclear energy use and sustains a struggling program for spent-fuel recycling despite setbacks after the 2011 Fukushima disaster. The plan approved Tuesday by the cabinet noted for the first time the need to reduce the plutonium stockpile,
Japan on Tuesday approved an energy plan that sets ambitious targets for nuclear energy use and sustains a struggling program for spent-fuel recycling despite setbacks after the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
The plan approved Tuesday by the cabinet noted for the first time the need to reduce the plutonium stockpile, given international security concerns. The stockpile results from technical challenges in achieving fuel recycling and from slow restarts of reactors to burn it amid widespread anti-nuclear sentiment.
Japan repeatedly has stated its commitment to transparency and appropriate handling of the plutonium, but the U. S. in particular has raised concerns in recent years. It has urged Japan to suspend the planned launch of its key reprocessing plant in Rokkasho, northern Japan.
“The energy plan makes clearer our commitment to reducing the amount” of plutonium, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiroshige Seko told reporters. “The government will actively work to appropriately manage, use and reduce the plutonium.
