Nuclear Reactor Regulation Act

Japanese: 原子炉等規制法 - げんしろとうきせいほう

The exact name of this law is the "Act on the Regulation of Nuclear Source Materials, Nuclear Fuel Materials and Nuclear Reactors." This law specifies regulations not only for nuclear reactors but also for various aspects of handling nuclear materials. The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry regulates practical nuclear reactors for power generation, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology regulates test and research reactors and reactors in the research and development stage, and the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism regulates marine reactors. There are regulations for each business, such as uranium refining, nuclear fuel processing, installation, operation and decommissioning of nuclear reactors, spent fuel storage, reprocessing, and waste disposal. In addition, there are regulations on the use of nuclear fuel materials and internationally controlled materials. The main items include permission to install (or change) nuclear reactor facilities, approval of the design and construction method of nuclear reactor facilities, implementation of pre-use inspections, approval of safety regulations, implementation of regular inspections, and reporting on accidents and radiation management. Regarding permission to install nuclear reactor facilities, the Nuclear Safety Commission investigates and deliberates the results of safety reviews conducted by each competent administrative agency based on the consultation of the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, or the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (double check system). It has been amended many times since it was first enacted in 1957. In particular, safety regulations were strengthened through amendments to the Nuclear Reactor Regulation Act following the criticality accident at the JCO uranium fuel processing plant in Tokai Village, Ibaraki Prefecture in 1999. Furthermore, when the cover-up of nuclear power plant problems was discovered in 2002, the parts relating to the government's monitoring and auditing functions were amended.

(Koshi Atsumi, Asahi Shimbun reporter / 2008)

Source : "Chiezo" published by Asahi Shimbun Publications Co., Ltd. About Chiezo

Japanese:

正確な名称は「核原料物質、核燃料物質及び原子炉の規制に関する法律」。原子炉だけではなく、核物質を取り扱うときのさまざまな場面での規制を明記した法律。発電のための実用原子炉については経済産業大臣が、試験研究用原子炉や研究開発段階にある原子炉については文部科学大臣が、船舶用の原子炉については国土交通大臣が規制を行う。ウラン製錬、核燃料加工、原子炉の設置・運転・廃止、使用済み燃料貯蔵、再処理、廃棄物処理といった事業別に規定がある。さらに核燃料物質と国際規制物資の使用に関する規制も加わる。おもな項目には、原子炉施設の設置(変更)許可、原子炉施設の設計と工事方法の認可、使用前検査の実施、保安規定の認可、定期検査の実施、事故や放射線管理の報告などがある。このうち、原子炉施設の設置許可については、原子力安全委員会は、経産大臣、文科大臣または国交大臣の諮問に基づき、各所管行政庁の行った安全審査の結果について調査審議する(ダブルチェック体制)。最初に制定された1957年以来、これまでに何度も改正されてきた。特に99年に起きた茨城県東海村のJCOウラン燃料加工工場の臨界事故により、原子炉等規制法改正で保安規定が強化された。また、2002年に発覚した原発のトラブル隠しのときは、国の監視・監査機能にかかる部分が改正された。

(渥美好司朝日新聞記者／ 2008年)

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