Reference Material: Japan’s separated plutonium inventory (as of Dec. 31, 2022)
The plutonium management data as of the end of 2022 was notated in a very different way from previous years. Previously, the data was presented in detail for each facility and each process. This was an attempt to show transparency in order to dispel doubts about the large amount of plutonium held. This time, however, not only were JNFL and JAEA plutonium totals combined, the process categories also underwent a major change. The Atomic Energy Commission said that this was the result of strengthening the protection of nuclear materials in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. All Atomic Energy Commissioners were in favor of the change. Although there is little movement in the plutonium inventory at present, if the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant is completed or if MOX power generation proceeds at all nuclear power plants, transparency will decrease even further.
In 2022, 629 kg of plutonium was consumed at the Takahama No. 4 reactor. Meanwhile, Kansai Electric Power Company (Kanden) imported 631 kg of plutonium as MOX fuel. According to Kanden, 16 units of MOX fuel were imported from France for the Takahama Unit 3 reactor on November 22. The 16 units of MOX fuel contains the amount of plutonium imported.
