Agreements to ensure the safety of nuclear power plants

Agreements to guarantee the safety of nuclear power plants have been concluded between local goverments and electric power companies relating to the construction of nuclear power plants. The articles of the agreements are; (1) Observance of relevant laws and ordinances, (2) prior approval of plans for plant construction and expansion, (3) prior report, (4) reports during normal operations, (5) report in abnormal occurrences, (6) measurement of environmental radio activity, (7) survey of thermal effluents, (8) spot inspection, (9) compensation for damage, (10) management of radioactive wastes, (11) control on storage of radioactive waste, (12) safety guidance to companies responsible for the operation of nuclear power plants, (13) settlement of disputes and (14) reprocessing of spent fuel. These plant safety agreements have provided local governments with a means of getting the necessary information promptly from the power company. The local government, as the representative of the local people, has affirmed its right to participate in the safety administration of nuclear power plants. But the agreements are nevertheless little more than gentleman agreements, as the right of local governments to participate has not yet been legalized by the national government, and the agreements therefore have a number of problems that still have to be resolved. The counterplan for solution of these problems are discussed. (Kobatake, H.)