ABWR development and verification tests

The development of nuclear power generation technology in Japan started with learning technologies introduced from foreign countries, advanced with promoting the domestic manufacture of plant equipment from components culminating in the production of the whole plant. In the course of this development, we've faced a variety of problems. 'The program of improvements and standardization of the light water reactor through Japan's own technology (the Improvement and Standardization Program)' was implemented with the cooperation of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), the utilities, and the manufacturers in order not only to solve them, but also to improve reliability and capacity factors, and to reduce occupational exposure. In nuclear power generating plants, reliability is one of essential foundations and attention has to be paid to it especially in developing a new type of plant