Geological Isolation Research and Development

In November 1999, JNC (now JAEA) published the second progress report entitled “H12: Project to Establish the Scientific and Technical Basis for HLW Disposal in Japan” (H12 report). The H12 report is a comprehensive documentation of the progress in R&D on geological disposal of HLW in Japan, which was made since the publication of a first progress report (H3 report) in 1992. The H12 documentation consists of Project Overview Report, Supporting Report 1 “Geological Environment in Japan”, Supporting Report 2 “Repository Design and Engineering Technology”, Supporting Report 3 “Safety Assessment of Geological Disposal System” and Supplementary Report “Background of Geological Disposal” (see figure below).

The aims of the H12 report were specified in a set of Guidelines issued by AEC. These Guidelines required the H12 report to demonstrate more rigorously and transparently the technical reliability of geological disposal of HLW in Japan and to provide input for the future siting and regulatory processes.

Following the submission of the H12 report to AEC, its Advisory Committee on Nuclear Fuel Cycle Backend Policy carefully reviewed the H12 report and concluded that the H12 report demonstrated the technical reliability of geological disposal of HLW in Japan and that the scientific and technical basis both for selecting a repository site and for determining the safety standard. In addition the committee indicated that the H12 report would be the technical basis for implementation of geological disposal project but the steady progress in R&D on geological disposal of HLW was essential.

Project Overview Report

Supporting Report 1 – Geological Environment in Japan –

Supporting Report 2 – Repository Design and Engineering Technology –

Supporting Report 3 – safety Assessment of the Geological Disposal System –

Supplementary report – Background of Geological Disposal –