An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) team of experts has concluded a two-week mission in Japan on the request of the Japanese government.
The ten-person team, hosted by the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) reviewed Japan’s nuclear security regime for nuclear material and nuclear facilities, security of radioactive material, associated facilities, and activities, as well as computer security. As part of the review, the IPPAS team visited the Mihama NPP in Fukui prefecture, operated by the Kansai Electric Power Company.
This was the third IPPAS mission to Japan, following a previous mission in 2015 a its follow-up in 2018. During the 2018 mission, the team visited the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa NPP in Niigata Prefecture. The actions taken since that 2018 mission with regard to physical protection measures at the plant were reviewed.
Japan acceded the 2005 Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) in 2014. This Amendment significantly enhances the original CPPNM by broadening its scope and establishing obligations for Parties to ensure the physical protection of all nuclear facilities and nuclear material used for peaceful purposes, whether in domestic use, storage, or transport.
The IPPAS team, led by Joseph Sandoval from the US Sandia National Laboratories, included experts from Canada, Belgium, Hungary, Finland, Spain, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and the US, as well as one IAEA staff member. Discussions were held with officials from the NRA, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism (MLIT), the National Police Agency (NPA), the Japan Coast Guard (JCG), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA), Kansai Electric and the Tokyo Electric Power Company.
At the end of the mission, the team commended Japan for its robust nuclear security regime. They provided recommendations and suggestions to help Japan further enhance its nuclear security procedures and practices. Additionally, the team identified several good practices that could serve as valuable examples for other IAEA Member States, contributing to long-term improvements in global nuclear security.
Elena Buglova, Director of the IAEA Division of Nuclear Security, underscored the cooperation of Japanese authorities with the experts’ team. “A third IPPAS mission within nine years indicates Japan’s willingness to enhance national nuclear security, as well as country’s commitment to global nuclear security. This commitment is also reflected in the country’s support for the IAEA’s nuclear security programme,” she said.
Shinsuke Yamanaka, Chairman of the NRA said the recommendations and suggestions provided through the IPPAS mission needed to be fully taken into account, scrutinised and acted upon. “We believe that the results of the IPPAS mission review will be very useful in enhancing and strengthening Japan’s nuclear security regime. Based on the IPPAS mission’s review results, Japan will continue to improve its nuclear security measures in cooperation with the relevant ministries and agencies.”
