Japan Atomic Energy Agency (hereinafter called “JAEA”) held its 1st debriefing session at Asahi Hall in Yuraku-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo on June 20, entitled " Nuclear Power - Challenges to the future - from science to technology -". The Hall was packed with approximately 800 participants. Thank you for the attendance.

(President Tonozuka)


Debriefing session started with the opening address of President Tonozuka, followed by the presentation by Executive Vice President Mr. Okazaki on a summary report of JAEA's current status of R&D and future prospects.

(Executive Vice President Mr. Okazaki)


Subsequently, following specific theme reports were presented;

·	“Steps toward the practical use of FBR cycle system” presented by Mr. Mukai, Advanced Nuclear System Research and Development Directorate Director General
·	“Industrial use of quantum beam technology” by Mr. Kato, Photon and Ion-Beam Applied Research Directorate Director General
·	“Building of knowledge base for geological disposal” by Mr. Kawada, Geological Isolation Research and Development Directorate Director General
·	“International deployment of nuclear fusion research and development” by Mr. Tsunematsu, Fusion Research and Development Directorate Director General

JAEA presented a part of its activities as a comprehensive nuclear R&D center, which range from the fields of fundamental and basic nuclear research to big projects aiming at practical use.

(Mr. Mukai, Advanced Nuclear System Research and Development Directorate Director General)


(Mr. Kato, Photon and Ion-Beam Applied Research Directorate Director General)


(Mr. Kawada, Geological Isolation Research and Development Directorate Director General)


(Mr. Tsunematsu, Fusion Research and Development Directorate Director General)


Afterward, Mr. Takashi Tachibana, a journalist as well as a science critic famous for his extensive activities, gave us a special lecture entitled “Science and Japan”.
In his lecture, Mr. Tachibana mentioned that:

·	Nuclear energy is not likely to follow the Darwinian evolution, because nuclear industry has pursued too much rationality to have trial opportunities, attract younger generation, and acquire experience from failure.
·	Expanded technology tends to admit of less failure, which would bring about a self-deception as if there were no failure. Under those circumstances, current rules might be somehow altered to deviate from reality in such a way as to substantiate a dogma that nuclear energy is safe, clean, and economical in itself.
·	Once a nuclear accident occurs, always pointed out is the discrepancy between an announced nuclear policy and realities. Nuclear energy lacking safety would be abandoned after all. The most important things for nuclear energy are not to hide or lie, attaching essential importance to safety.

(Mr.Takashi Tachibana)


At the end of the debriefing session, Executive Vice President Mr. Okazaki expressed a word of gratitude and gave a closing address to the effect that JAEA seeks to be a center of excellence, or one of the world's primary R&D centers, attaching utmost importance to ensure safety and fulfilling the responsibilities imposed as a nuclear R&D organization.

(Executive Vice President Mr. Okazaki)