Nuke Info Tokyo No. 137 (July/Aug 2010)

Citizens Challenge APEC Energy Ministers in Fukui
In opposition to the APEC Energy Ministers’ Meeting, civil society held a “Citizens’ Energy Symposium” in Fukui City on the afternoon of June 19. Speakers explained why nuclear power is not useful in the prevention of climate change and how exporting Japanese nuclear reactors is equivalent to exporting pollution.

Monju Restart Sets Alarm Bells Ringing
Since the Monju restarted on May 6, 2010, all sorts of alarms have sounded. On June 8 Denki Shimbun reported that up to 1pm on June 6 there had been 620 alarms.

Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Units 1 and 5
Rushing to restart while serious safety problems remain unanswered

Three Years After the Chuetsu-oki Earthquake hit Niigata Prefecture
CNIC Co-Directors issues a statement saying that they lament the rush to restart the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Station

Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant: Fallen brick retrieved at last!
The vitrification furnace at Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd’s (JNFL) Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant is being restored. However, this only means that the prospects of resuming active tests have improved. The chances of actually passing those tests are by no means good.

Kyushu Electric’s Falsification of Warm Water Discharge Reports: Environmental impact to increase if Sendai-3 reactor constructed
On March 2, 2010 the Asahi Shimbun reported that Kyushu Electric had falsified data related to warm water discharge monitoring results.

Japan-India Nuclear Cooperation: CNIC Protest Letter
Letter sent to the government protesting the commencement of negotiations for a bi-lateral nuclear cooperation agreement with India.Major Incidents at Japanese Nuclear Facilities in 2009 Fiscal Year

Who’s Who: Wakako Yamamoto
The Joan of Arc of Aomori Prefecture

News Watch
— JAEA to cooperate with Vietnam on nuclear non-proliferation
— Cabinet approves Basic Energy Plan and New Growth Strategy
— Fukushima I-2: loss of offsite power during scram
— Chugoku Electric reprimanded
— Assessment of safety activities at nuclear power plants
— Final compensation claim from JCO criticality accident rejected
— MHI signs agreement with Iberdrola Engineering
— Mihama-1 to operate for a maximum of 10 more years
— Moves towards loading MOX fuel into Fukushima I-3
— MOX fuel arrives from France
— Application to implement pluthermal at Shika-1