Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TOKYO1387
2009-06-19 06:06:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
DELAY TO COMPLETION DATE FOR JAPAN'S MOX
how-toVZCZCXRO2965 PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH DE RUEHKO #1387 1700606 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 190606Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3897 INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA PRIORITY 4709 RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA PRIORITY 2271 RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA PRIORITY 7040 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE PRIORITY 8512 RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO PRIORITY 5235 RHMCSUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
UNCLAS TOKYO 001387
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR ISN/NESS AND EAP/J
DOE FOR OFFICE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG KNNP TRGY PREL PUNE IAEA JA
SUBJECT: DELAY TO COMPLETION DATE FOR JAPAN'S MOX
CONVERSION PROGRAM
UNCLAS TOKYO 001387
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR ISN/NESS AND EAP/J
DOE FOR OFFICE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG KNNP TRGY PREL PUNE IAEA JA
SUBJECT: DELAY TO COMPLETION DATE FOR JAPAN'S MOX
CONVERSION PROGRAM
1. (U) The scheduled completion date for Japan's program of
converting Light Water Reactors (LWRs) so that they are able
to use Mixed Plutonium Uranium Oxide (MOX) fuel has slipped
from 2010 to 2015. Japan's Federation of Electric Power
Companies (FEPC) issued a press release announcing the
revision of the schedule for up to 18 LWRs. Seven of these
reactors have received all the required government approvals
and the eighth has approval of the local government something
which is usually the most problematic requirement. However,
the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry suspects local
opposition will make it difficult for some of the remaining
reactors to get the necessary approvals.
2. (U) Despite the slip in the overall schedule, some
reactors will be converted soon. The Kyushu Genkai No. 3
conversion starts this summer with MOX operations starting
this fall. Four other reactors have MOX fuel on-site that
has been fabricated in France from Japanese plutonium and
three of these have all government approvals for conversion
to MOX. Japan, in April, had announced a slip in the
scheduled completion date from 2012 to 2015 for its MOX fuel
fabrication facility under construction at the Japan Nuclear
Fuel Limited Rokkasho site. Once completed, the Rokkasho
facility is to provide MOX fuel for these LWRs.
ZUMWALT
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR ISN/NESS AND EAP/J
DOE FOR OFFICE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG KNNP TRGY PREL PUNE IAEA JA
SUBJECT: DELAY TO COMPLETION DATE FOR JAPAN'S MOX
CONVERSION PROGRAM
1. (U) The scheduled completion date for Japan's program of
converting Light Water Reactors (LWRs) so that they are able
to use Mixed Plutonium Uranium Oxide (MOX) fuel has slipped
from 2010 to 2015. Japan's Federation of Electric Power
Companies (FEPC) issued a press release announcing the
revision of the schedule for up to 18 LWRs. Seven of these
reactors have received all the required government approvals
and the eighth has approval of the local government something
which is usually the most problematic requirement. However,
the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry suspects local
opposition will make it difficult for some of the remaining
reactors to get the necessary approvals.
2. (U) Despite the slip in the overall schedule, some
reactors will be converted soon. The Kyushu Genkai No. 3
conversion starts this summer with MOX operations starting
this fall. Four other reactors have MOX fuel on-site that
has been fabricated in France from Japanese plutonium and
three of these have all government approvals for conversion
to MOX. Japan, in April, had announced a slip in the
scheduled completion date from 2012 to 2015 for its MOX fuel
fabrication facility under construction at the Japan Nuclear
Fuel Limited Rokkasho site. Once completed, the Rokkasho
facility is to provide MOX fuel for these LWRs.
ZUMWALT