Current status of safety regulations and emergency responses for nuclear fuel transportation in Japan

Japan has 48 nuclear power plants with total electric capacity of 40,694 MW, including those in operation, under construction and in preparation. The amount of nuclear fuel materials transported in connection with the operation of these power plants in 1984 was 730 ton U metal of UF6, 889 ton U metal of UO2 powder, 1094 ton U metal of fuel assembly and 396 ton U metal of spent fuel. The nuclear fuel transports are regulated at the package design, packaging approval (registration) and shipment confirmation phases by national competent authorities such as the Science and Technology Agency and/or Ministry of Transport using Japanese regulations based on the 1973 IAEA Transport Regulations. By the end of 1989, the 1985 IAEA Transport Regulations will be introduced into the regulations. Concerning emergency responses for nuclear fuel transport, the consignor concerned is obliged to make the necessary arrangements, with the competent authorities concerned also making arrangements. The authorities are currently developing guidelines for a manual on safe transport. (author)