The status of nuclear power plant in-service inspection risk management in Japan

The recent development activities of risk based inspection on nuclear power plants in the United States of America has drawn much attention of Japanese people who are engaged in inservice inspection of Light Water Reactors. Because the Japan Power Engineering and Inspection Corporation (JAPEIC) has been authorized to carry out inspections and tests on power plant facilities as demanded by Electric Utility Industry Law of Japan, JAPEIC has a strong interest in risk based inspection. JAPEIC has been studying the risk based inspection method since 1993. The main aim of this study is to understand the detailed risk based inspection procedures and its effectiveness on plant safety and inspection cost reduction. Furthermore, it will be necessary to modify the original risk based inspection method applicable to Japanese nuclear power plants considering conditions peculiar to the plants. This study was conducted with the collaboration of academics, government officers, electric utility personnel and manufacturers. (author)