Licensing systems for reactor operators in Japan

Any person proposing to set up a reactor, whether for commercial power generation or for research, is obliged by law to adopt a ''chief tech-ician'' for the reactor from among those who have passed national examinations for such technicians, for appointment to the supervisory position to ensure safety in reactor operation (System for Reactor Chief Technicians). Candidates for chief technicians first take a written test, followed by an oral test. The written test is given to find out whether or not they have the special knowledge necessary to discharge their possible duties as chief technicians. The oral test is given to see if they have the practical knowledge necessary for reactor operation. After the TMI accident, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry carried out a special inspection of nuclear power plants, leading to the conclusion that it was necessary to make constant efforts to upgrade the skills of the operators. Thus the MITI enforced a new system (System for Reactor Responsible Operators) in July 1980, with the aim of fostering and securing highly qualified responsible operators. The Thermal and Nuclear Power Engineering Society was appointed as the licensing organization in January 1981. It was made obligatory for owners of commercial power reactors to assign persons licensed by the Society as responsible operators of nuclear power reactors. (Nogami, K.)