Special Reports are longer, often more technical, documents consisting of entire articles, government statements, and other documents relevant to security and peace in Northeast Asia.
NAPSNet, Special Reports
STRENGTHENING NUCLEAR SECURITY SYSTEM AGAINST INSIDER THEFT OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL
Masahiro Kikuchi July 14, 2017 I. INTRODUCTION In this essay, Mahiro Kikuchi concludes that: “Quantitative and timely evaluation system for detection of protracted theft by insider should be built in the NMAC as an essential part of its function. All people including not only the national competent authority but also top management and staffs […]
Go to the articleMETAL CASK STORAGE AS COMPARED WITH POOL STORAGE OF SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL IN JAPAN
Toshiari Saegusa July 7, 2017 I. INTRODUCTION In this essay, Toshiari Saegusa reviews the evolution of nuclear spent fuel (SF) storage technology and in particular, the safety, economic, and security issues associated with use of dry cask storage for nuclear spent fuel. He concludes: “From technical and economic points of view, SF needs to be […]
Go to the articleJAPANESE ENERGY POLICIES AFTER FUKUSHIMA
Kae Takase June 23 2017 I. INTRODUCTION In this essay, after tracing the evolution of Japan’s energy policy and economy in the years after Fukushima, Kae Takase concludes: “The Japanese electricity sector will undergo dramatic and disruptive changes in the coming years. The future of nuclear reactor restarts, retail market deregulation, unbundling of transmission […]
Go to the articleNUCLEAR SECURITY DEFICIENCY: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES ON JAPAN’S FUEL-CYCLE POLICY
Masakatsu Ota June 15, 2017 I. INTRODUCTION In this essay Masakatsu Ota argues that driven by “other agendas,” the Abe government will continue to support nuclear power, including MOx fuel recycling in spite of the Fukushima disaster, albeit with important modifications. He concludes that “little attention has been paid to nuclear security concern about […]
Go to the articleNUCLEAR TERRORISM: HOW BIG IS THE RISK TO JAPAN
Matthew Bunn June 8, 2017 I. INTRODUCTION This essay by Matthew Bunn argues that nine straightforward steps are available for Japan to greatly reduce the risks of nuclear terrorism at reasonable cost. “These include minimizing the use of materials that could be used in nuclear weapons, and providing highly effective security and accounting wherever […]
Go to the articleJAPAN’S NEW REGULATORY STANDARDS FOR NUCLEAR POWER AND REPROCESSING PLANTS: TECHNICAL, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ASPECTS
Tadahiro Katsuta June 1 2017 I. INTRODUCTION In this essay, Tadahiro Katsuta concludes that: “Security measures have been strengthened following the Fukushima accident. More detailed discussions on security at nuclear facilities that include addressing issues specific to Japan, however, are needed.” Tadahiro Katsuta is Associate Professor at Meiji University in Japan. This Special Report was […]
Go to the articleMANIFESTATIONS OF POWER IN UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS OF NUCLEAR AND RADIOLOGICAL TERRORISM WITH REFLECTIONS FOR A POST-FUKUSHIMA JAPAN
Charles Ferguson May 26, 2017 Banner photo: Photo: IAEA I. INTRODUCTION In this essay, Charles Ferguson states “that dry cask storage for spent fuel has been shown to provide a safe and secure means of storage for at least a few decades based on real world experience. How long these casks will last is not […]
Go to the articlePOTENTIAL IMPACTS OF ACCIDENT AT OR ATTACK ON THE DPRK’S YONGBYON NUCLEAR REACTORS
David von Hippel and Peter Hayes May 22, 2017 I. INTRODUCTION This essay by David von Hippel and Peter Hayes argues that neither attack nor accident at the DPRK’s two reactors at Yongbyon would result in significant transborder radiological damage. They conclude that “the United States and its allies control most of the variables that […]
Go to the articleRISKS OF DENSELY PACKED SPENT FUEL POOLS
by Allison Macfarlane May 19, 2017 I. INTRODUCTION This essay by Allison Macfarlane argues that “the back end of the fuel cycle, especially at reactors, has not received the attention to safety and management it needs. Management of spent fuel after discharge from the reactor requires careful thought and safety analysis. Surprisingly, regulators in some […]
Go to the articleJAPAN’S NUCLEAR SECURITY AFTER THE FUKUSHIMA NUCLEAR ACCIDENT
Nobumasa Akiyama May 19, 2017 I. INTRODUCTION In this essay, Nobumasa Akiyama outlines lessons learned after the Fukushima catastrophe and Japan’s subsequent steps to address nuclear security concerns, describes Japan’s plutonium “trilemma,” and the weak links in the international nuclear security management framework. He concludes that “reducing the risk of nuclear terrorism remains an […]
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