An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts has concluded a two-week International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) mission in Japan. The mission, conducted at the request of the Government of Japan, took place from 22 July to 2 August 2024.
Hosted by the Nuclear Regulation Authority of Japan (NRA), the ten-person mission team 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 Nuclear Power Station in Fukui prefecture, operated by the Kansai Electric Power Company (KEPCO).
This mission was the third IPPAS mission to Japan, following a previous mission in 2015 and its follow-up mission in 2018. During the 2018 mission, the team visited the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power station (KKNPS) in Niigata Prefecture. The actions taken since that 2018 mission with regard to physical protection measures at the KKNPS were part of the latest mission agenda.
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 of Sandia National Laboratories in the United States, included experts from Canada, Belgium, Hungary, Finland, Spain, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and the USA, as well as one IAEA staff member. The team held discussions with officials from the NRA, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), the National Police Agency (NPA), the Japan Coast Guard (JCG), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA), KEPCO and TEPCO.
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 expressed thanks to the mission team for their diligent work on the review over a period of two weeks. "The recommendations and suggestions provided through the IPPAS mission need to be fully taken into account, scrutinised and acted upon," he said. "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."
Background
The mission was the 104th IPPAS mission conducted by the IAEA since the programme began in 1995.
IPPAS missions are intended to assist States in strengthening their national nuclear security regime. The missions provide peer advice on implementing international instruments, along with IAEA guidance on the protection of nuclear and other radioactive material and associated facilities.
During missions, a team of international experts observes a nation's system of physical protection, compares it with international good practices and makes recommendations for improvement. IPPAS missions are conducted both on a nationwide and facility-specific basis.
