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| Nuclear Fuel Cycle Study Conference |
Confidence in nuclear energy has recently been shaken severely because of accidents, improprieties, and other incidents involving nuclear power. The Atomic Energy Commission therefore instituted a series of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Study Conferences from November 2002 to June 2003.
These study conferences brought together leaders of siting locations throughout Japan, electric power utilities, journalists, consumers, experts, research organization personnel, and government agency staff members. Over a series of nine sessions, these participants were asked their views about the essential nature of the problem with nuclear energy, what will be required to recover confidence in nuclear energy, what form the nuclear fuel cycle should take, and other such questions.
The Commission concluded that it would be necessary to take the views expressed at these study conferences into consideration as it reviewed and verified its own position regarding the nuclear fuel cycle from the very starting point. It must similarly take into consideration the fact that so many doubts have been expressed concerning nuclear fuel cycle policy, and respond with sincerity to the various questions raised by the public.
The Commission therefore compiled a report titled The Nuclear Fuel Cycle (entire document:PDF5,448KB and separate sections). This presented an orderly view of the debate regarding the nuclear fuel cycle policy up to that time. The Commission intended the report to be addressed to the public at large.
Questions regarding Japan's future energy policy are involved: Why is the nuclear fuel cycle important? Why is the nuclear fuel cycle considered to be the answer? The Commission intends to continue taking a variety of different opportunities to discuss these matters with members of the public in siting regions and throughout the country.
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